
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, Costco shoppers in New Jersey may need to prepare for disruptions in February, as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing 13,000 Costco workers nationwide, is threatening a work stoppage. If an agreement isn’t reached soon, Costco locations across the country, including in New Jersey, could face staff shortages or closures.
Here’s everything you need to know about the potential strike, its impact, and how to prepare.
Will Costco Workers Go on Strike?
Costco Teamsters have voted overwhelmingly—85% in favor—to authorize a strike if the company fails to deliver a fair contract before the current agreement expires on Friday, January 31.
The strike could begin as early as Saturday, February 1, affecting Costco locations nationwide, including those in New Jersey and the mid-Atlantic region.
Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien issued a strong statement:
“Costco must deliver a fair contract, or they’ll be held accountable. From day one, we’ve told Costco that our members won’t work a day past January 31 without a historic, industry-leading agreement. Costco’s greedy executives have less than two weeks to do the right thing.”
Why Are Costco Workers Threatening to Strike?
The Teamsters are pushing for a contract that reflects Costco’s record-breaking profits, which include:
- $254 billion in annual revenue
- $7.4 billion in net profits, marking a 135% increase since 2018
Despite these gains, workers claim the company has failed to offer fair wages and benefits.
“This strike vote is a direct response to Costco’s greed and blatant disregard for the bargaining process,” said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division.
Recent Developments
In preparation for a potential strike, Teamsters have already organized practice pickets in key locations, including:
- Hayward, California
- Sumner, Washington
- Long Island, New York
- San Diego, California
These actions underscore the union’s readiness to follow through if Costco doesn’t meet their demands.
What Could This Mean for New Jersey Shoppers?
If the strike goes forward, New Jersey Costco locations may experience:
- Reduced hours or temporary closures
- Delays in restocking popular items
- Limited staff availability for assistance
Shoppers should consider stocking up on essentials before January 31 and staying updated on potential closures.
What’s Next?
Costco has yet to publicly respond to the strike threat. Meanwhile, the Teamsters remain firm in their demands, emphasizing that workers are the backbone of the company’s success.
“We hope the company will step up and do right by us, but if they don’t, that’s on them,” said Bryan Fields, a Costco worker in Baltimore. “The company will be striking itself.”
The Teamsters National Master Agreement covers over 18,000 Costco workers, and its expiration could mark a turning point for the retail giant’s labor relations.
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From experience be very careful about the food you buy at Costco, BJ’s, really look at it don’t just pick it up and throw it in your cart. Be very careful.
Can you share your experience? I buy a lot from Costco but never have had an issue. I don’t usually buy groceries or dairy stuff from there though. On the food side, I focus on cheeses, frozen pizza, lamb sometime etc.
I brought a lot of food from both places and at times I must say they were amazing all different kinds of food and taste and quality. You just gotta be careful. You really gotta look at the food. Watch the date. Listen I’m not gonna badmouth any photo establishment, but I will say I shop at every location and I seen good in bed at every food establishment market. Many people just walk into the supermarket not thinking is going to be any problem. They just pick up the food and bring it all and it’s OK. It’s not like that anymore, everything changed from Covid. Like it or not it’s true.