If Costco’s unionized workers go on strike, what does that mean for Fort Worth locations?
Costco’s unionized workers overwhelmingly voted Jan. 19 to authorize a strike unless the company can reach a new contract before the current one expires Jan. 31.
Eighty-five percent of The Teamsters union, which represents more than 18,000 Costco union workers nationwide, voted for the strike, citing fair wages and benefits as the main reason for hitting the picket lines.
Costco shared in its fourth quarter earnings report that the company made $254 billion in fiscal year 2024, with a net income of $7.4 billion.
“Many of us have given decades of our lives to this company, and all we are asking for is a fair share of its massive success,” said John Robledo, a Costco worker and Teamster in Carson, Calif., in a news release. “I’ve watched this company grow into what it is today, but it’s no longer the same place I started working at over 30 years ago. We don’t want to strike, but we will if Costco continues to ignore us.”
Costco has so far not commented on the strike.
According to Costco’s form 10-K filing for fiscal year 2024, full-time employees are paid an average of $31 per hour. Entry-level positions may start at $19.50 an hour. The company’s benefits include health, dental, vision, a 401(k) plan and eight days of paid time off.
Teamsters have already struck up practice pickets in Hayward, Calif., San Diego, Long Island and Sumner, Wash. The final round of negotiations for their new contract began on Monday, Jan. 20.
Will Teamsters go on strike in Fort Worth?
Teamsters are not expected to strike in Texas. The pending strike is only expected to affect about 50 of the company’s 624 U.S. stores, located in California, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Washington. California is expected to see the largest share of impacted stores, according to Forbes. Costco Teamsters have already participated in practice pickets, but none have taken place in Texas.
Costco has about 10 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth:
Fort Worth: 5300 Overton Ridge Blvd., Fort Worth
North Fort Worth: 8900 Tehama Ridge Pkwy, Fort Worth
Arlington: 600 W Arbrook Blvd, Arlington
Southlake: 2601 E State Highway 114, Southlake
Weatherford: 310 Center Point Road, Weatherford
Duncanville: 250 W Highway 67, Duncanville
Lewisville: 851 State Highway 121 Byp, Lewisville
Dallas Business Center: 8282 Park Ln., Dallas
Dallas: 8055 Churchill Way, Dallas
W Plano: 1701 Dallas Pkwy, Plano
Will Costco stay open during the strikes?
Costco locations may stay open but operate with a shorter staff, or close entirely until an agreement is reached. We’ll know more closer to Jan. 31, when the contract is up.
Can I still buy gas at Costco if there’s a strike?
For those who go to Costco to get gas, the store’s pumps typically close alongside the warehouse. So if your local Costco is temporarily closed, expect the gas pumps to also be closed.
This story was originally published January 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM.