Unionized Apple Store in Maryland to Vote on Possible Strike

(Bloomberg) — Apple Inc.’s unionized retail store in Towson, Maryland, will hold a vote Saturday to decide whether to authorize a strike ahead of a new round of negotiations with the iPhone maker.

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Earlier this week, the local machinists union representing store workers distributed packets detailing the plan. If a majority of unionized workers vote on May 11 to approve a strike, it could occur at any time. A union representative said no date has been decided.

The local affiliate of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers is scheduled on May 21 to hold its next round of negotiations over a contract with Apple. A strike in front of an Apple store would upset the company’s finely honed image. It would also mark the first known strike by unionized Apple retail workers in the US, but would follow one in France last year.

The union told employees it would provide $200 a week to strikers after a strike of at least 14 days and that those protesting cannot be fired for picketing over labor practices.

Apple, in a statement, said it “deeply values” its retail team members “and we are proud to offer them industry-leading compensation and exceptional benefits. As always, we will interact with the union that represents our team at Towson respectfully and in good faith.”

The store and Apple have reached a series of agreements, none of which deviate much from Apple’s pre-existing policies. The union told employees there are ongoing negotiations over wages, overtime, unpaid leave, sick leave benefits and scheduling.

“Our tentative agreements will bring remarkable protections to our team and achieve many of our bargaining goals,” the union told Towson store workers. “Apple is not negotiating in good faith and we have multiple allegations of unfair labor practices against Apple for its illegal behavior.”

In an unrelated development, the company’s store in Short Hills, New Jersey, is voting this weekend on whether to unionize. Earlier this month, the US National Labor Relations Board ruled that Apple illegally interrogated employees at its store in the World Trade Center in New York City.

–With assistance from Josh Eidelson.

(Updates with company comment in fifth paragraph.)

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