The Costco Teamsters, a union representing over 18,000 workers of Costco voted to authorise a strike if their demand for fair wages and benefits is not fulfilled. They have set 31 January as the deadline after which work would come to a halt at all Costco centres across the US. A whopping 85 per cent members of the Costco Teamsters voted in favour of the strike post expiry of the contract between the union and Costco on 31 January.
A strike can hamper the reputation that the retailer has built for itself as a company that treats its workers very well and promotes diversity and inclusion.
The union feels that Costco has let down its employees by not improving their retirement and other benefits despite doing well in terms of revenues/ finances. The workers’ demands for better holiday policies and higher pay have not been given any attention because Costco is only focused on generating profits.
The union members have even been preparing for the strike in some locations, such as New York, Long Island and San Diego, by practising to set up pickets and organise rallies.
The union hopes that Costco will realise that its success and profits are only because of the workers; that if Costco fails to treat these very workers fairly it will have to face the repercussions.
