COSTCO WORKERS IN WASHINGTON JOIN TEAMSTERS
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SUMNER, Wash., April 19, 2024 ~ In a historic move, more than 150 drivers at the Costco Distribution Center in Sumner, Washington have voted to join Teamsters Local 174. This marks the first time that workers at a Costco Distribution Center have organized with the Teamsters, seeking strong representation to address long-standing workplace concerns.

The drivers, who cited issues such as wages, retirement benefits, and a lack of seniority and grievance procedures, were determined to take control of their future and improve their working conditions. Paul Lowrie, a three-year driver at Costco and now a new Teamster member, expressed his frustration with management's lack of response to their concerns. "Costco isn't the company it once was. The culture has shifted dramatically in the past few years. Management told us they heard our concerns, but they weren't listening. We were tired of being ignored," he said.

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Lowrie and his co-workers will now join over 18,000 Costco Teamsters across the country. This victory in Washington follows another historic win for the Teamsters in December 2023 when 200 Costco workers in Norfolk, Virginia became the first group to win union representation at the Seattle-based company in over two decades.

Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division and Teamsters Central Region International Vice President, highlighted the growing trend among Costco workers to seek stronger protections and better working conditions by joining the union. "Workers know firsthand that Costco isn't the same company it used to be, and they understand that the only way to prevent more backsliding is by becoming Teamsters," he said.

The decision to organize with the Teamsters was also influenced by a national contract ratified by the union in October 2022. The contract includes wage increases and improved retirement benefits for members as well as other workplace protections and improvements.

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Costco workers in Seattle and Norfolk pointed to this national contract and a changing corporate culture as key factors in their decision to join the Teamsters. The national contract is set to expire on January 31, 2025.

Rick Hicks, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 174 and Teamsters Western Region International Vice President, praised the efforts of the organizing committee and welcomed the new members into the union. "This historic vote means these drivers will be the first Costco distribution drivers in the country to be union members. The importance of this simply cannot be overstated, as it will encourage other Costco drivers to follow the path forged by these brave and strong new Teamsters," he said.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. With this latest victory at Costco, their membership continues to grow as more workers recognize the value of being a Teamster. For more information about the union, visit their website at Teamster.org or follow them on Twitter @Teamsters and Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Media Contact:

Daniel Moskowitz

(770) 262-4971
Filed Under: Business
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