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Tag: Teamsters
Costco raises pay above $30 for non-union members ahead of possible Teamsters strike
(TNND) — Costco employees at all non-union stores will receive a pay raise just one day before Teamsters union members are set to go on strike, according to a memo reviewed by Bloomberg.
Hourly pay for non-union members who are at the top of the pay scale will receive a $1 per hour raise reaching $30.20 in the first year and an extra $1 for the subsequent two years. Employees on the lower end of the pay scale will receive a 50-cent per hour increase, raising their pay to $20 per hour.
The Teamsters contract with Costco expires at midnight on Friday.
“The vote is a direct result of the company’s continued failure to bargain constructively and refusal to present a fair contract offer that reflects the company’s record-breaking profits,” the union said adding more than 18,000 Costo workers are set to strike.
Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division, cited “greed” and “blatant disregard for the bargaining process” as reasons for the strike.
Despite reporting $245 billion in annual revenue and $7.4 billion in net profits, according to the union, demands for fair wages and benefits have failed to be met.
The union represents workers at Costco locations in California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Washington.
In a bold move, Costco has announced a significant pay raise for non-union members, setting their wages above $30 per hour. This decision comes ahead of a possible strike by Teamsters, a union that represents Costco employees.The retail giant has always been known for its competitive pay and benefits packages, and this latest move only solidifies their commitment to their employees. By increasing wages for non-union members, Costco is sending a clear message that they value all of their workers, regardless of union affiliation.
The potential strike by Teamsters could have significant implications for Costco, but by proactively raising wages, the company is taking steps to ensure that their employees are well-compensated and happy in their jobs. This decision also reflects Costco’s reputation as a company that prioritizes employee satisfaction and retention.
Overall, Costco’s decision to raise pay above $30 for non-union members is a positive development that demonstrates their dedication to their workforce. It will be interesting to see how this move impacts the ongoing negotiations with Teamsters and how it will shape the future of labor relations at Costco.
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Costco, pay raise, non-union members, Teamsters strike, labor negotiations, wage increase, Costco employees, worker compensation, labor unions, retail industry, Costco news.
#Costco #raises #pay #nonunion #members #ahead #Teamsters #strikeCostco raises pay as Teamsters union threatens strike : NPR
Shoppers exit a Costco Warehouse in Cranberry, Pa., on Jan. 28.
Gene J. Puskar/AP
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Gene J. Puskar/AP
Costco is raising pay — above $30 an hour for many workers — as the deadline looms for the company to reach a new contract with its unionized employees.
The powerful International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents about 18,000 Costco employees, or roughly 8% of the company’s U.S. workers. Their current collective-bargaining contract expires at the end of Friday, and the union members have voted to authorize a strike if negotiations fail.
Now Costco CEO Ron Vachris has announced pay increases for nonunionized workers over the next three years, according to an internal memo viewed by NPR.
In March, hourly wages for store clerks and assistants at the top of the pay scale will go up by $1 to $30.20 an hour, rising by another $1 each year after that. Wages for entry-level workers will increase by 50 cents to $20 an hour.
Costco Teamsters spokesperson Matthew McQuaid said the company wouldn’t be raising pay if not for the union’s pressure. It represents workers at Costco locations in California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Washington.
“Costco is still shorting their workers because nonunion workers lack the retirement security of a defined benefit pension plan and the job protections that come with a union contract,” McQuaid said in an email.
The Teamsters contract with Costco expires at midnight on Friday. Workers are pushing for better pay and benefits, saying they should be rewarded for helping the chain achieve its record financial gains.
Costco representatives declined comment. The retailer is the third-largest in the world by revenue, behind Walmart and Amazon.
Last year, Costco had similarly increased its wages by $1 at the top of the pay scale and 50 cents for others, the company said in its end-of-the year report. The chain’s pay is among the highest in retail, which has helped Costco maintain a lower turnover rate than most rivals.
Vachris’s memo, dated Tuesday, named other planned changes, including vacation time for new workers in their first year.
“There’s a plain and simple reason Costco chooses to offer industry-leading wages” and various benefits, the memo said. “We believe our employees are the very best in the retail industry.”
Last week, Costco made news as its shareholders rejected a proposal by a conservative think tank pushing the company to rollback its diversity hiring practices. This made Costco an outlier as many U.S.-based corporations have begun retreating from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
On Monday, 19 Republican state attorneys general wrote to Costco demanding the company repeal its DEI policies within a month.
Costco, a popular wholesale retailer, has announced an increase in pay for its employees as the Teamsters union threatens to go on strike. In response to the union’s demands for higher wages and better benefits, Costco has decided to raise the hourly pay for its workers.This move comes amid growing pressure on companies to provide fair compensation and support for their employees. Costco, known for its competitive wages and benefits, has once again demonstrated its commitment to taking care of its workers.
The Teamsters union, representing Costco employees across the country, has been advocating for better pay and working conditions. With the threat of a strike looming, Costco’s decision to raise pay could help alleviate tensions and potentially prevent a work stoppage.
As the debate over fair wages and worker rights continues to heat up, Costco’s actions serve as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing employee well-being. By listening to their workers and addressing their concerns, Costco is setting a positive example for other companies to follow.
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#Costco #raises #pay #Teamsters #union #threatens #strike #NPR
Teamsters union prepares for possible Costco strike on Saturday
A semitruck for the Teamsters Local 174 at a practice picket on Jan. 23, 2025. Union members picketed at Costco headquarters in Issaquah, Wash. Washington state Costco workers who are part of the Teamsters union could go on strike as soon as this Saturday if a new contract is not reached.
Courtesy of Teamsters Local 174
Washington state Costco workers who are part of the Teamsters union could go on strike as soon as this Saturday if a new contract is not reached. Union members have been in negotiations with the wholesale food distributor for weeks, but their current contract is set to expire on Friday at midnight.
Costco union members are seeking better wages, retirement and health care benefits, and seniority rights for workers when choosing shifts, vacations and bidding for jobs, among other things. Representatives for the Teamsters declined an interview request, citing ongoing contract negotiations.
The contract affects 18,000 Costco union members nationwide. Initial worker “practice pickets” have been held in Washington, California and New York in recent weeks. The Issaquah, Washington-based grocery wholesaler operates 617 warehouses in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and hundreds more around the world. The union did not disclose how many Washington state employees would be affected by a strike, or exact stores that could see picket lines.
The Teamsters union said they are seeking a fair contract amid Costco’s “record-breaking profits.”
The company reported a 7.5% increase in net sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, according to Costco’s financial disclosures. That translated to $60.99 billion, up from $56.72 billion during the same time the previous year.
Representatives from Costco did not immediately respond to an interview request.
This story may be updated.
The Teamsters union is gearing up for a possible strike at Costco on Saturday as negotiations between the two parties have reached a standstill. The union, which represents thousands of Costco employees across the country, is demanding higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions for its members.If a strike does occur, it could have a significant impact on Costco’s operations, as the retailer relies heavily on its workers to keep its stores running smoothly. The Teamsters have warned that they are prepared to take whatever action is necessary to achieve their goals, including walking off the job and picketing outside Costco locations.
Costco has yet to comment on the possibility of a strike, but the company has previously stated that it is committed to providing fair wages and benefits to its employees. However, the Teamsters have accused Costco of not living up to its promises and have vowed to fight for their members until their demands are met.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the Teamsters union prepares for a possible strike at Costco on Saturday.
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Costco Teamsters Overwhelmingly Vote to Authorize Strike
18,000 Costco Teamsters Demand Fair Contract by January 31
Press Contact: Matt McQuaid Phone: (617) 894-0669 Email: mmcquaid@teamster.org
(WASHINGTON) – Costco Teamsters nationwide have voted by an overwhelming 85 percent margin to authorize a strike. The vote is a direct result of the company’s continued failure to bargain constructively and refusal to present a fair contract offer that reflects the company’s record-breaking profits. The Costco Teamsters National Master Agreement, covering more than 18,000 Costco workers, 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. “From day one, we’ve told Costco that our members won’t work a day past January 31 without a historic, industry-leading agreement. 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.”
Last week, hundreds of Costco Teamsters nationwide organized practice pickets in preparation for a potential strike. On Tuesday, Teamsters in Hayward, Calif., and Sumner, Wash., held practice picket actions. On Wednesday, Costco Teamsters held a practice picket and rally on Long Island. By Thursday, hundreds more in Southern California joined the mobilization effort with a large practice picket in San Diego.
“This strike vote is a direct response to Costco’s greed and blatant disregard for the bargaining process,” said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “Costco claims to treat workers better than the competition, but right now, it’s failing to live up to that reputation. Management has less than two weeks to fix this — if they don’t, they’ll face the consequences.”
Costco recently reported $254 billion in annual revenue and $7.4 billion in net profits — a 135 percent 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.
“We are the backbone of Costco,” said Bryan Fields, a Costco worker in Baltimore and member of Teamsters Local 570. “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.”
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 X @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.
In a recent vote, Costco Teamsters have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike. The decision comes after months of negotiations between the union and the company failed to result in a fair agreement for workers.The Teamsters represent thousands of Costco employees across the country, including warehouse workers, truck drivers, and other essential staff. They have been fighting for better wages, benefits, and working conditions, but Costco has been unwilling to meet their demands.
The vote to authorize a strike shows the unity and determination of Costco Teamsters to stand up for their rights and demand fair treatment from their employer. If a strike does occur, it could have a significant impact on Costco’s operations and bottom line.
Stay tuned for updates on the situation as negotiations continue and the possibility of a strike looms. Costco Teamsters are ready to fight for what they deserve, and they won’t back down until they get it.
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Costco Teamsters, Strike Authorization, Teamsters Union, Costco Labor Dispute, Labor Strike Vote, Teamsters Strike Decision
#Costco #Teamsters #Overwhelmingly #Vote #Authorize #Strike
