Alexander Lewis 
May 13, 2024
An undated image displaying Apple logo. — Pexels
Two years ago, Apple Store workers in Towson, Maryland voted to join a union, making it the first Apple shop in the US to do so.
As of now, those employees at the Apple Towson Town Centre have voted to authorise a strike, after "a year of negotiations with Apple management that yielded unsatisfactory outcomes."
The Apple Store staff voted to allow the strike late on Saturday. No date has been set for the strike yet. The union, which is part of the International Association of Machinists, says a "potential work stoppage date will be determined" later.
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In a statement about the vote, the union explained: "Following over a year of negotiations with Apple management that yielded unsatisfactory outcomes, IAM CORE members took a significant step by voting in favour of a strike at the Apple Towson store, signalling their collective demand for meaningful change.
The issues at the forefront of this action include concerns over work-life balance, unpredictable scheduling practices disrupting personal lives, and wages failing to align with the area's cost of living."
Bloomberg reports that two other Apple Stores in Maryland and Oklahoma voted to join a union in 2022, but no contracts have been agreed yet. Also this week, an Apple Store in New Jersey voted against unionising, with the union blaming Apple's tactics for the defeat.
The Towson store workers hope the strike vote "sends a clear message to Apple." In a statement, Apple said it "deeply values" its team members and is "proud to provide them with industry leading compensation and exceptional benefits." The company added it will "engage with the union representing our team in Towson respectfully and in good faith."
