They formed the first Apple store union in the country. Now, employees say they’re barred from some benefits.

Employees of the Apple store in Towson say the company is excluding them from certain benefits, claiming the company made a “calculated” move to discourage further unionization efforts. The employees voted 65-33 in June to join the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, making them the first Apple store employees in the country to unionize. Their concerns included compensation, fairness and COVID-19 safety. On Thursday, the union sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook that said the company has excluded them from receiving “certain educational and medical benefits offered to all other Apple employees.” Apple’s corporate communications office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.