Apple Inc will not challenge the results of a vote by workers at its Towson, Maryland, store to join a labor union and intends to participate in the bargaining process in good faith, a person familiar with the company’s plans told Reuters on Friday.
The Maryland store is the first Apple store in the United States to vote to organize. Almost two-thirds of the employees at the store voted to join a union a week before.
Apple is one of the several major American companies, including Starbucks Corp and Amazon Inc location whose workers have moved to unionize in recent months.
The Towson employees voted to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
“Look forward to bargaining with Apple and obtaining a strong first contract that makes positive changes for Apple workers and the customers they are proud to serve,” David Sullivan, the union’s eastern territory vice president said in a statement.
Apple intends to participate in the bargaining process in "good faith," the person familiar with the matter said.
Earlier this year, Apple employees had plans to vote on unionization at a store in Georgia but canceled the vote. However, the union officers later filed a complaint alleging that the company intimidated its employees. Employees at two other Apple stores in New York are also considering unionizing.
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