Towson Apple Store Strike Unlikely, Union Reaches Tentative Deal

TOWSON, MD — The Towson Apple Store reached a tentative labor agreement with its union on Friday. Pending final approval, this would avoid a strike at the tech giant's first unionized location.

A final vote is scheduled for Aug. 6 among union members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers' Coalition of Organized Retail Employees, also known as IAM CORE.

“From the beginning, IAM CORE’s mission has been to improve Apple for our employees, customers and communities,” the IAM CORE Negotiating Committee said in a Friday press release. “By reaching a tentative agreement with Apple, we are giving our members a voice in their futures and a strong first step toward further gains. Together, we can build on this success in store after store and grow the power IAM CORE has started here in Maryland.”

The union said the three-year deal includes:

– Work-Life Balance: Scheduling improvements with protections for both current and part time members.
– Pay Increases: Average raises of 10% over the life of the contract and increases in starting pay for 80% of job classifications.
– Job Security: Limits on contracted employees and a severance clause.
– Transparency: A fair and clear disciplinary process with protections and accountability.
The agreement maintains all current benefits and includes an agreement to bargain over any future additions.

“The true partnership between the IAM, IAM CORE and Apple workers has led us to this historic moment,” IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan said in the release. “IAM District 4 Directing Business Representative Jay Wadleigh and others have brought their knowledge, experience and tenacity to every day of these negotiations. We’re extremely proud to be the first union to take on this fight for Apple workers.”

IAM CORE represents about 85 employees at the Towson Apple Store.

The workers voted to join the union on June 18, 2022. Contract negotiations began in January 2023.

The union has alleged that its members were excluded from new medical and educational benefits offered to other Apple employees. That led to a complaint from the National Labor Relations Board in November 2023.

IAM CORE also accused Apple of stalling negotiations.

The union then voted to demand Apple's best and final offer, asserting that it would go on strike if the deal was unsatisfactory.

If employees approve the deal in their August meeting, they will avoid this strike.

Patch contacted Apple for comment. The company has not yet replied. We will update this story if Apple responds.

Related:

• Towson Apple Store Strike: Union Takes 1st Step Toward Work Stoppage
• Towson Apple Store Strike Possible