Washingtoner - COSTCO TEAMSTERS RALLY OUTSIDE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

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ISSAQUAH, Wash., Jan. 23, 2025 ~ As Costco held its annual shareholder meeting at their corporate headquarters in Issaquah, Washington, Teamsters members gathered outside to demand a fair contract. The current contract between Costco and the Teamsters is set to expire on January 31, and the workers are ready to strike if their demands are not met.

Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien made it clear that Costco has two options: either respect the hardworking employees who have contributed to their success or face a nationwide strike. O'Brien stated, "Costco Teamsters deserve an industry-leading contract that reflects the company's massive profits. If Costco thinks they can exploit our members while raking in billions, we'll shut them down."

The Costco Teamsters National Negotiating Committee has been in talks with the company but has yet to receive an offer that reflects Costco's record-breaking profits. If a fair contract is not presented by the deadline, which is only eight days away, approximately 18,000 Costco Teamsters across the country will be forced to go on strike.

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Paul Lowrie, a member of Teamsters Local 174 and a fleet driver at Costco's Sumner location in Washington, expressed the workers' sentiments by saying, "We're demanding a contract that matches the success we made possible. We don't want to strike, but we're ready if Costco refuses to give us what we've rightfully earned."

Costco's profits have been steadily increasing over the years. In 2024 alone, the company reported $254 billion in revenue and $7.4 billion in net profits – a significant jump from $6.3 billion in 2023 and a staggering 135 percent increase from 2018.

Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division, emphasized that they will hold Costco accountable if they fail to reward their hardworking employees who have contributed to their billions in profits. He stated, "Our members are mobilized, prepared, and ready to do whatever it takes to win the contract they deserve. Costco has eight days to do the right thing."

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents 1.3 million workers in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. For more information about the organization, visit their website at Teamster.org. You can also follow them on Twitter @Teamsters and like their Facebook page at Facebook.com/teamsters.

For media inquiries, please contact Matt McQuaid at (617) 894-0669.

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