Nearly Unanimous Strike Vote Reflects
Growing Militancy Among Costco Workers Nationwide
WASHINGTON, July 29,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Costco workers represented by
Teamsters Local 822 in Norfolk,
Va., have voted to authorize a strike against the retail
wholesaler as national contract negotiations are set to begin on
Aug. 21.
The near-unanimous vote comes after more than eight months of
negotiations for a first contract. Nearly 250 warehouse workers
organized with the Teamsters in December
2023, becoming the first group to win union representation
at the company in over two decades.
"Costco's games and delay tactics have left our members
restless," said James Wright,
President of Teamsters Local 822 and International Vice President
At-Large. "The nearly unanimous strike authorization vote shows
just how serious our members are about demanding results. They are
fed up with the company's changing corporate culture and are ready
to take action to stop the backsliding."
Teamsters General President Sean M.
O'Brien and Teamsters Warehouse Division Director
Tom Erickson will lead the charge in
national negotiations next month along with rank-and-file Costco
Teamsters serving on the bargaining committee. The Teamsters
national contract with Costco expires January 31, 2025, protecting more than 18,000
Teamsters.
Teamsters Local 174, led by Teamsters Western Region
International Vice President Rick
Hicks, is also in negotiations for more than 150 Costco
drivers in Sumner, Wash. In
April 2024, they became the first
group of drivers at a Costco Distribution Center to organize with
the Teamsters.
"We are determined to secure the strongest national contract
ever for Costco workers," said Erickson, who also serves as
Teamsters Central Region International Vice President. "The
militancy we are seeing in Norfolk
is happening all across the country. In Washington State, drivers are fighting for
more at the table, and all across the country workers are
organizing and mobilizing to keep Costco in check. Workers have had
enough of the company's bad behavior and are prepared to fight for
the fair treatment and compensation they deserve. Teamsters are
sending a loud message to Costco: we want results, and we are
prepared to take action to get them."
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto
Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow
us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at
Facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Daniel Moskowitz, (770)
262-4971
dmoskowitz@teamster.org
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/teamsters-authorize-strike-at-costco-ahead-of-national-contract-negotiations-302208786.html
SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters