Breaking News: First Unionized Apple Store Among Three Set to Close in the U.S.

This week, Apple announced the upcoming closure of three of its retail locations in the United States, set to take place in June: Apple Trumbull in Connecticut, Apple North County in Escondido, California, and Apple Towson Town Center in Maryland. According to a statement sent to MacRumors, the company attributed these closures to “the exit of several merchants and the deteriorating conditions” in the respective shopping malls.

Employee Relocation Plans

The staff members from the Trumbull and North County stores will be reassigned to other nearby Apple Stores. Meanwhile, employees at the Towson Town Center location are encouraged to “apply for vacant positions at Apple, in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.” It is not uncommon for Apple to close or relocate its stores quietly. However, the situation at Towson Town Center is unique as it was the first American Apple Store where employees unionized.

Union Concerns Over the Closure

In a statement released to Bloomberg, the union has questioned the genuineness of this closure, suggesting it “could be a cynical attempt to break the union.” A union representative stated they are exploring “all legal options and will collaborate with elected officials and allies to hold Apple accountable.” The only other unionized Apple Store in the United States is located in Oklahoma City.