In the interest of their members, the Costco workers union has approved a nationwide strike for about 18,000 employees across the United States in a bid to address the issues affecting them.
The Union representing the workers of the retailer came together to draft out conditions that would endure continuity. The opportunity to respond to the agreement would expire on Jan. 31.
“This strike vote is a direct response to Costco’s greed and blatant disregard for the bargaining process,” Tom Erickson, director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division, said in a press release.
“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.”
On average, Costco pays its employees a little more money than Walmart and Target. The company also invests in employee training and tries to avoid layoffs.
Although Costco has over 200,000 employees, most of which are not affiliated with any union, if 18,000 workers refuse labor, it can have a significant impact on the business.
The Union presented a proposal asking for seniority pay, paid family leave, bereavement policies, sick time, and safeguards against surveillance, which the franchise refused before the Union issued threats of strike.
Under this new administration in the United States, a major concern would be the policies Trump might let fly that would give employers more power to take worker’s rights into their hands.
