SUMNER, Wash. — Teamsters Local 174 is filing multiple official complaints with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries after Costco Wholesale “blatantly refused to pay fleet drivers the wages guaranteed under their collective bargaining agreement.”
“Costco likes to pretend it’s a good employer,” said Rick Hicks, secretary-treasurer of Local 174. “That’s a lie. The company has no excuse for withholding wages. It’s wage theft, plain and simple, and we’re not backing down until every worker is paid in full. We demand that this situation be resolved immediately before we need to escalate our complaint with the state of Washington.”
Making History
The group of 150 drivers, based out of Sumner, Wash., made history as the first group of Costco distribution drivers to join the Teamsters. They ratified their first contract in April 2025, securing wage increases retroactive to Sept. 1, 2024. But months later, Costco has yet to pay a cent and has shown no signs of doing so unless forced, according to a Teamsters media release.
Despite raking in more than $254 billion in revenue and a record $7.4 billion in profits last year, Costco is refusing to meet its most basic obligations to workers who keep its supply chain moving, according to the release.
Corporate Thievery
“This is corporate thievery, plain and simple — and Costco’s executives are the crooks,” said Tom Erickson, director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division. “They’ve made a calculated decision to steal from our members while padding their own profits. If Costco wants a fight, they’ve got one. We’re not going away, and we’re not letting up until every last dollar is in our members’ hands.”
The Teamsters are demanding that Costco immediately comply with the contract, pay all retroactive wages, and stop stalling.
“If the company continues to ignore its legal obligations, the Teamsters are prepared to fight,” the release said.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
Interesting
In my opinion, Cosco should be forced to pay “Treble damages ” due to the gravity and egregiousness of corporate intentional bad decision making. This is a blatant attack on the fabric of the American worker. I believe the Courts should grant Treble Damages , that’s X 3 of what is owed as a punishment.
it’s very disgusting when Corporations have the expectation that they as a corporation are shielded from a contract and the uniform commercial code.
go get em teamsters you have my support if you need it !!