Costco workers in Norfolk, Virginia, have made a significant stride towards securing their rights and benefits. In a resounding vote, they joined the Teamsters national contract at Costco, ensuring strong job and retirement protections under the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan. This victory signifies a crucial step forward for nearly 300 workers at the Norfolk location, who will now have their first collective bargaining agreement.
This group, which voted to join Teamsters Local 822 in December, marked the first successful organizing effort at the wholesale retailer in over two decades. The workers expressed their enthusiasm for the new protections, highlighting the benefits it will bring to their lives. “We are excited to work under the protection of a strong Teamsters contract that will provide us with job security and retirement benefits that we deserve,” said Torrey Felton, a forklift driver at Costco and a member of Local 822. “This agreement gives us the same protections enjoyed by over 18,000 of our co-workers nationwide, and the pension benefits we’ve secured will be life-changing for all of us.”
The impact of this agreement extends beyond the individual workers. “This agreement will have an immediate impact on our members at Costco,” stated James Wright, President of Local 822 and International Vice President At-Large. “We’re proud to have helped our members secure such a powerful contract, and we’re committed to enforcing its strong protections moving forward.”
The successful negotiations in Norfolk set a powerful precedent for future negotiations. As the union gears up for national contract negotiations for over 18,000 Costco Teamsters covered under the National Master Agreement next week, the achievements of Local 822 members will serve as a strong foundation. “As we approach national contract negotiations, the strong contract secured by Local 822 members will set a powerful standard for Costco workers across the country,” said Tom Erickson, Director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division and Teamsters Central Region International Vice President. “While Costco prides itself on presenting a pro-worker image, only a strong Teamsters contract that guarantees job security, fair wages, and secure retirement benefits will make that image a reality. It’s time to hold the company accountable and ensure that workers receive the protections and respect they deserve.”
