Costco Workers Authorize Strike as Contract Deadline Looms

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 18,000 Costco Wholesale employees represented by the Teamsters union voted overwhelmingly on Sunday to authorize a nationwide strike, with over 85% of members supporting the action. The decision comes as negotiations for a new contract reach a critical stage, with the current agreement set to expire on January 31, 2025.

“Our members have spoken loud and clear — Costco must deliver a fair contract, or they’ll be held accountable,” Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien said in a press release. “From day one, we’ve told Costco that our members won’t work a day past January 31 without a historic, industry-leading agreement.”

The union has accused Costco of failing to offer fair wages and benefits despite the company’s record-breaking financial performance. According to the Teamsters, Costco reported $254 billion in annual revenue and $7.4 billion in net profits in 2023, marking a 135% increase since 2018. “Yet, despite these record gains, the company refuses to meet the Teamsters’ demands for fair wages and benefits that reflect the company’s enormous success,” the union stated.

In preparation for a potential strike, hundreds of Costco workers across the U.S. participated in practice pickets last week, with demonstrations held in locations such as Hayward, California; Sumner, Washington; and Long Island, New York. Bryan Fields, a Costco employee in Baltimore and member of Teamsters Local 570, emphasized the workers’ role in the company’s success. “We are the backbone of Costco,” Fields said. “We drive its success and generate its profits. We hope the company will step up and do right by us, but if they don’t, that’s on them. The company will be striking itself.”

Costco has not publicly commented on the strike authorization or the ongoing negotiations. The final round of talks is scheduled to begin on January 20, leaving less than two weeks to reach an agreement before the contract deadline.