Employees at a Maryland Apple store vote to go on strike

In a weekend filled with union organizing efforts at U.S. Apple stores, tensions ran high as workers at one store voted to authorize a strike, while workers at another store voted against forming a union.

The Apple store in Towson, Maryland made history back in 2022 by becoming the first Apple retail store to have a formally recognized union. This union, affiliated with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, voted on Saturday to authorize a strike, although the date of the potential strike has not yet been determined.

The IAM CORE Negotiating Committee released a statement saying, “This vote today 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.”

Negotiations between the union and Apple have been ongoing since January 2023, focusing on issues such as work-life balance, unpredictable scheduling, and wages.

Meanwhile, in Short Hills, New Jersey, a vote to unionize a store with the Communication Workers of America failed. The CWA had previously filed an unfair labor practice charge against Apple, alleging retaliation against one of the organizers at the store.

This comes on the heels of the National Labor Relations Board ruling that Apple violated federal labor laws in 2022 at the Apple store in New York’s World Trade Center. The company was found to have confiscated union flyers and interrogated staff about unionizing efforts.

As tensions continue to rise between Apple and its workers, the future of union organizing efforts at Apple stores remains uncertain.