Costco Teamsters Authorize Nationwide Strike

According to a new announcement by the nationwide union, the Costco workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) are about to go on strike.

The announcement, made on Sunday, Jan. 19, confirmed that the strike was authorized by an overwhelming majority of 85% of the IBT members. According to the announcement, the company’s persistent inability to engage in productive negotiation and refusal to make a reasonable contract offer considering its record-breaking profits are the leading causes of the vote. Over 18,000 employees are covered under the Costco Teamsters National Master Agreement, which expires on Jan. 31.

“Our members have spoken loud and clear — Costco must deliver a fair contract, or they’ll be held accountable,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien in a statement accompanying the announcement. “From day one, we’ve told Costco that our members won’t work a day past January 31 without a historic, industry-leading agreement. Costco’s greedy executives have less than two weeks to do the right thing. If they refuse, they’ll have no one to blame but themselves when our members go on strike.”

“This strike vote is a direct response to Costco’s greed and blatant disregard for the bargaining process,” said Tom Erickson, director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “Costco claims to treat workers better than the competition, but right now, it’s failing to live up to that reputation. Management has less than two weeks to fix this — if they don’t, they’ll face the consequences.”

Costco Previously Rejected 98% of the Teamster Demands

Last month, the big-box store’s executives rejected 98% of the Teamster union’s demands, despite the looming promise that the union was ready to strike.

The union also claimed that the retailer was engaging in unfair labor practices by ejecting union representatives, intimidating and harassing workers for wearing Teamster buttons and clothing, and changing the locks on union bulletin boards to prevent further updates.

Since the existing contract, adopted in October 2022, expires on Jan. 31, the union is negotiating for paid family leave, a thorough bereavement policy, sick leave, protections against surveillance, and important language on seniority. If Costco fails to establish a collective bargaining agreement by Jan. 31, union employees will go on strike.