TEAMSTERS RATIFY FIRST-EVER NATIONAL CONTRACT AT COSTCO
2022.10.21
Excerpt:
New Master Agreement Protects 18,000 Costco Workers Coast-to-Coast
The Teamsters made history today, securing a new master agreement protecting more than 18,000 workers at Costco nationwide. Ballots were counted at 5 p.m. ET before an independent observer in Portland, Ore., and the agreement was overwhelmingly ratified by a vote of 72 percent with record-high voter turnout from the membership.
Dont let anyone tell you the days of achieving national master agreements are over. Unions can protect American workers on a national scale the Teamsters just proved it at Costco, said Teamsters General President Sean M. OBrien. The Teamsters Union pulled off something that anti-labor activists would have you believe is impossible. Our massive network of local unions and army of organizers makes us the most powerful union in the world and the most equipped to protect as many workers as possible.
This is an earth-shaking win for Costco workers and the American labor movement. Corporations like Sysco, UPS, and Amazon remain on notice.
The national agreement provides members with significant wage improvements over the next three years and a substantial increase in pension contributions by the employer. The contract will also provide members with higher semi-annual bonuses and a more flexible attendance policy, among other workplace improvements.
Our members at Costco stood up for their rights and won big, said Mike Bergen, Local 166 Secretary-Treasurer and Chair of the Teamsters Costco National Negotiating Committee. They werent afraid to strike if necessary, and the company knew they werent bluffing. Todays victory was for the workers, by the workers.
https://teamster.org/2022/10/teamsters-ratify-first-ever-national-contract-at-costco/