Apple Shutting Down Towson Store: Unionization Or Retail Conditions?

The emerging big story about recent college graduates isn't their unemployment or underemployment. It's their push-back through unionizing. That's being called the "new labor movement." 

As Noam Sheiber depicts it in "Mutiny: The Rise and Revolt of the College Working Class" this development has all the passion, determination and sacrifice of the 1930s auto workers campaigns to establish a fair contract between management and labor. Yes, allegedly labor activists are losing jobs because of their organizing.

Featured in "Mutiny" is the history of Apple retail. That brick and mortar concept started off with a great deal for young workers. Training, a sense of purpose and pride in the brand characterized the work experience. But much of that eroded. In response was the campaign at the Towson Mall location in Maryland for representation by a union. Yahoo Finance reports:

"Workers at the Towson location voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) in 2022 …  They ratified a three-year collective bargaining agreement with Apple in August 2024."

The agreement covered increased compensation, protection for how hours are scheduled and more accountability in the disciplinary process.

Recently, this decision has come down from Apple.

A few days ago Apple officially announced it will shutter the Towson retail and not replace it. It cites retail business reasons not labor issues. Those reasons essentially involve what too many malls have been experiencing: pull out by anchor stores because of declining traffic. 

For the same reasons, Apple says, it also will be closing down its retail at malls in Trumbull, Connecticut and near San Diego, California. All that will happen on June 11. The Towson locations employs about 90.

Given the push among Gen Zers for unionization, these kinds of shut-down moves by employers will be viewed in terms of labor relations. Moreover, the threats to white collar working conditions and job security by AI, cost-efficiency and offshoring could extend the collective bargaining campaigns deep into professional services.

Already that is happening in banking. A New Mexico branch became the first in Wells Fargo to unionize. 

In law, SCOTUS chief justice John Roberts, Paul, Weiss partner Brad Karp and founder of Quinn Emanuel John Quinn all went on record projecting significant falloff in demand for junior lawyers because of AI. Will those young lawyers begin to seek the protections of collective bargaining? An issue could be negotiating termination terms and conditions. 

In addition, those plum consulting jobs Ivy graduates land are targets for AI automation. 

In my coaching, though, most clients remain optimistic about their ability to not only hold onto their jobs. They discuss their shot at promotions. And they are buying houses. There are two Americas: Those with good jobs and those without jobs. 

Earning a Good Living in 2026 Involves Mental Combat. The enemy is usually your own thinking.

Complimentary consultation. No Pressure. Solid Guidance. Contact Jane Genova janegenova374@gmail.com.