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Baltimore Mayor Backs Union Workers as Apple Closes Historic Towson Store

9to5Mac •
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Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has thrown his support behind workers at the Apple Towson Town Center store, which is set to permanently close on June 20. The store holds historical significance as the first Apple retail location in the United States to successfully unionize. Mayor Scott publicly stated his backing on social media platform X, directly addressing the displaced employees.

The dispute centers on Apple's relocation policies for affected workers. IAM Union argues that Towson employees received fewer opportunities compared to staff at the other two closing locations. Apple maintains that its collective bargaining agreement mandates transfers only within 50 miles of the Towson store, with severance packages available for those who cannot be relocated. The company has confirmed it will not open a replacement store within that geographic boundary.

This controversy has drawn support from multiple elected officials, including Maryland lawmakers, 40 members of Congress, and Governor Wes Moore. IAM International President Brian Bryant publicly thanked Mayor Scott for his intervention while continuing to pressure Apple before the Saturday deadline. The growing political attention signals broader concerns about corporate responsibility toward unionized workers.

Apple's refusal to modify the closure timeline or offer equal relocation terms to all affected employees reflects the company's ongoing tension with organized labor. The Towson store's closure represents more than a business decision—it demonstrates how union recognition can create different treatment standards for workers seeking employment security.