Towson Apple store workers vote to authorize strike

Unionized workers at Towson’s Apple store have voted to authorize a strike as they continue to negotiate with the tech giant about wages, work/life balance and other workplace standards.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the union representing employees at the store in Towson Town Center, said late Saturday that workers had voted “overwhelmingly in favor” of authorizing a strike. A full tally of the votes was not immediately available.

The vote gives IAM union members bargaining on behalf of the Towson Apple store workers the ability to schedule a strike if negotiations with the tech company don’t resolve their concerns about wages, scheduling and other issues. A potential work stoppage date would be determined by IAM’s Coalition of Organized Retail Employees, or IAM CORE, the union said in a news release.

The IAM represents about 100 of the Towson store’s workers, who became the first of Apple’s U.S. employees to unionize in 2022. They’ve been negotiating with Apple management since January 2023.

Jay Wadleigh, a representative for the union, said earlier this week that Apple has not addressed workers’ major concerns, such as unpredictable scheduling practices and wages below the area’s cost of living, “despite persistent efforts to engage in constructive and meaningful dialogue.”

A February survey by the IAM also found a pattern of alleged illegal behavior by the company, including unlawful terminations and punishment directed at workers looking to organize and join a union.

Saturday, the union’s negotiating committee said the strike authorization vote “is the first step in demonstrating our solidarity and sends a clear message to Apple.”

“The passage of the strike sanction vote highlights IAM CORE’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of workers in the face of challenges,” the union said in a statement. “As discussions with Apple management continue, we remain committed to securing tangible improvements that benefit all employees.”

In an email Saturday, an Apple spokeswoman said the company “work(s) hard to provide an excellent experience for our retail team members and empower them to deliver exceptional service for our customers.”

“We deeply value our team members and we’re proud to provide them with industry leading compensation and exceptional benefits,” the statement said. “As always, we will engage with the union representing our team in Towson respectfully and in good faith.”

Negotiations between Apple and the IAM are ongoing, with contract bargaining expected to resume on May 21.