Apple claims the Towson Apple Store employees’ contract does not guarantee job placement at other locations, while the union has filed an unlawful discrimination complaint over the issue.
On Monday, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) officially filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge against Apple. The complaint, submitted to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleges that the company discriminated against unionized workers at its Towson, Maryland retail store.
The Towson location was the first unionized Apple retail store in the United States and is one of three stores set to permanently close in June.
While some initially viewed the closures as potentially retaliatory, Apple has said the decision was driven by declining mall conditions and the loss of nearby retailers rather than union activity.
The dispute centers on Apple’s statement regarding employee options after closure. The company said employees from other affected stores, such as Trumble and North County, would be able to continue working at different locations. However, Towson employees were only described as “eligible to apply for open roles at Apple in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.”
The IAM union and Towson workers argue that their contract does not prevent them from being transferred and that they are being treated differently because they are unionized.
“This is about whether workers are treated fairly under the law or punished for exercising their rights,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant.
He added that Apple is denying union-represented employees the same opportunities offered to others, calling it discriminatory and a violation of federal labor protections.
Giant folding iPad could remain an unreleased experimental project
While the iPhone Fold is reportedly close to launch, the future of the long-rumored folding iPad remains uncertain and it may never reach consumers.
The folding iPhone is widely expected to debut in 2026, but Apple is also said to be developing a larger foldable device behind the scenes.
According to Bloomberg’s Power On newsletter, the folding iPad is a real internal project — a tablet featuring an approximately 20-inch foldable display. It was previously a key focus area for Apple’s incoming CEO John Ternus during his time leading hardware development.
However, despite its development progress, there is no guarantee it will become a commercial product. Sources familiar with the project told Bloomberg that it could ultimately remain an experimental prototype rather than a device released to the public.
While no specific reason for a possible cancellation has been confirmed, it may be linked to shifting priorities as Ternus transitions into the CEO role, where he will need to oversee Apple’s entire business rather than focus on individual hardware projects.
Towson Apple Store union pushes back, alleging unfair treatment following store closure
