Costco’s contract with its 18,000 workers nationwide is set to expire on January 31, leaving the company facing a real possibility of a strike. The Teamsters union, representing thousands of workers, has voted 85% in favor of authorizing a strike unless Costco agrees to better wages and benefits.
The union points to Costco’s record $254 billion revenue and $7.4 billion profits for fiscal 2024 as justification for their demands. Workers argue that the company’s refusal to meet their demands is unacceptable, especially considering its massive financial success.
Teamsters have been preparing for a strike by holding practice pickets across the country, including demonstrations in California, Washington, Long Island, and Southern California. Costco has defended its position, claiming it treats workers better than its competitors, but Teamsters argue that its actions don’t live up to this reputation.
A DEI controversy is also adding fuel to the fire, with a vote scheduled for January 23 on whether shareholders support ending Costco’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. The union sees this as another example of Costco prioritizing profits over worker demands.
With the contract deadline looming, pressure is mounting on Costco to resolve its labor dispute and avoid a strike. If a fair deal can’t be reached before January 31, workers may walk off the job, highlighting growing demands for better pay and working conditions at major retailers like Amazon and Starbucks, which have recently faced similar strikes during the holiday season.
Source: https://qz.com/costco-strike-teamsters-dei-pushback-amazon-starbucks-1851743602