ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Teamsters announced Monday that they’ve voted by an overwhelming 85% margin to authorize a strike if a deal isn’t reached by the time their contract expires at the end of the month.
Employees say the company isn’t presenting them with a fair contract offer that reflects the record-breaking profits it’s seeing.
The Costco Teamsters National Master Agreement, which covers more than 18,000 workers nationwide, expires on January 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 news release. “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.”
In addition to disagreements on pay and benefits, the union said Costco had rejected union proposals regarding seniority pay, paid family leave, bereavement policies, and sick time.
Last week, hundreds of Costco Teamsters organized practice pickets in preparation for a potential strike.
According to the union, Costco recently reported $254 billion in annual revenue and $7.4 billion in net profits — a 135% increase since 2018.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Costco has not commented on the vote.
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