Baltimore mayor backs Apple Towson workers in store closure dispute

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott called on Apple to extend relocation opportunities to Towson Town Center workers, joining a growing list of elected officials criticizing the company's handling of the store's June 20 closure.

Apple will close three retail stores on June 20, including the Towson Town Center location, the first Apple Store in the U.S. to unionize.

The IAM Union accused Apple of treating Towson employees unfairly by denying them the same relocation opportunities offered to workers at the other two stores.

Apple says its agreement with the union requires the company to offer transfers only to locations within 50 miles of the Towson store, with severance available to employees who cannot be relocated. The company adds that it has no plans to open another store within that radius.

The dispute has drawn support from Maryland lawmakers, 40 members of Congress, and Governor Wes Moore.

Scott said in a post on X that Apple's decision "walks away from Towson with no replacement store planned" and "walks away from the communities that helped build its success." The mayor called on Apple to "give these workers the same opportunities afforded to employees at non-union stores," adding that he will "fight for just treatment" on behalf of the Towson store workers.

IAM International President Brian Bryant thanked Mayor Scott for his support and again called on Apple to act before the store closes next Saturday.

Apple has not commented further on the dispute since issuing a statement on April 28, nor has it indicated plans to change the closure date for Towson or either of the other two stores.