Teamsters win at Norfolk, Va., ‘big box’ Costco store

Norfolk, VA (PAI) — By a 119-82 margin, the Teamsters won a union recognition vote at a Costco store in Norfolk, Va.

The victory was notable for two reasons: It’s the union’s first triumph at a Costco in almost 20 years, and the company, which has a reputation for treating its workers well, was disappointed in the outcome, and said so in an open letter after the vote.

The vote for unionizing among the 238 workers “constitutes a failure on our part,” Costco’s CEO, and his predecessor, admitted. Unlike other big box retailers, Costco is known for good wages and working conditions.

But, in Norfolk, not good enough to prevent the vote for Teamsters Local 822. One big factor: The national agreement the Teamsters reached last year covering the firm’s other 18,000 workers they represent.

The Norfolk workers felt their pay and working conditions there did not reflect the post-coronavirus pandemic successes at the store, Harvard’s OnLabor blog reported.

Higher wages, safety, pension contributions and a more flexible attendance policy were key issues in the organizing drive.