Local 822 Members Secure Pension and Job
Protections Under National Master Agreement
NORFOLK, Va.,
Aug. 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Costco workers in
Norfolk, Va., voted overwhelmingly
to join the Teamsters national contract at Costco, securing strong
job and retirement protections under the Western Conference of
Teamsters Pension Plan. For nearly 300 workers at the location this
will be their first collective bargaining agreement. This group,
who voted to join Teamsters Local 822 in December, marked the first
organizing victory at the wholesale retailer in over two
decades.
"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."
"This agreement will have an immediate impact on our members at
Costco," said 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."
Negotiations for over 18,000 Costco Teamsters covered under the
National Master Agreement are set to begin next week.
"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."
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto
Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information.
Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook
at Facebook.com/teamsters.
Contact:
Daniel Moskowitz (770)
262-4971
dmoskowitz@teamster.org
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SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters