A tentative agreement has been reached between Apple and the unionized employees at its Towson, Maryland retail store, bringing potential improvements to their working conditions. This agreement is designed to enhance employee benefits, including better pay, job protections, and more flexible scheduling to improve work-life balance, as well as a more transparent disciplinary process.
The Towson store, which became the first Apple Store in the U.S. to unionize in 2022, had previously authorized a strike in May due to disappointing negotiation results.
Negotiations between Apple and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ Coalition of Organized Retail Employees (IAM CORE) began in January 2023.
The tentative three-year agreement they have reached includes provisions for average raises of 10 percent over the contract’s duration, along with increased starting pay rates for most positions. This agreement also introduces a severance clause for added job security.
The proposed deal represents a significant step forward for unionized employees, who have been advocating for better working conditions and compensation. The improvements outlined in the agreement reflect the union’s efforts to address concerns raised during negotiations and to secure a more equitable work environment for its members.
The approximately 85 employees represented by the union will have the opportunity to vote on the tentative agreement on August 6. If approved, the new terms will mark a notable shift in employment conditions at one of Apple’s first unionized locations.