Apple reaches its first contract agreement with a US retail union

Two years ago, workers at an Apple Store in Towson, Maryland, were the first to establish a formally recognized union at an Apple retail store in the United States. Now they’re the first to reach a tentative contract agreement.

According to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ Coalition of Organized Retail Employees, which represents approximately 85 employees at the Towson store, the three-year agreement includes scheduling improvements, average raises of 10% over the life of the contract, a severance clause and limits on contracted employees, and a transparent disciplinary process.

“By reaching a tentative agreement with Apple, we are giving our members a voice in their futures and a strong first step toward further gains,” the union’s negotiating committee said in a statement.

The union is scheduled to vote on the deal on August 6. During the negotiations, workers voted to authorize a strike, a move that the negotiating committee described as “the first step in demonstrating our solidarity,” which would send “a clear message to Apple.”

Although there have been campaigns to unionize other Apple retail stores in the U.S., only two have been successful thus far. Apple’s contract negotiations continue with the union at an Oklahoma City store.

Apple did not immediately respond to TechCrunch’s request for comment.