Costco Workers Nationwide Threaten Strike Over Contract Dispute

The Teamsters union, representing 18,000 Costco employees, demands higher wages and improved benefits, citing the company's record profits.

The Teamsters union has voted to authorize a strike starting February 1 if Costco does not meet their demands for a new labor contract before the current one expires on January 31.
Key union demands include increased wages, seniority pay, paid family leave, bereavement policies, sick time, and protections against workplace surveillance.
Costco reported $254 billion in annual revenue and $7.4 billion in net profits for fiscal 2024, but the union claims the company has failed to fairly share its financial success with workers.
Practice pickets have been held in multiple locations across the U.S., including California, Washington, and New York, as workers prepare for a potential nationwide strike.
Costco maintains that it treats employees better than competitors and is committed to reaching a fair agreement, but the union accuses the company of failing to honor its pro-worker reputation.