Costco workers ready to strike on Feb. 1, Teamsters union says

More than 18,000 Costco workers will be walking picket lines in less than two weeks if a labor dispute over wages and benefits is not resolved, according to the Teamsters union.

Members voted by an 85% margin to authorize a strike when their current contract expires on Jan. 31, the union announced on Sunday. 

"Our members have spoken loud and clear — Costco must deliver a fair contract, or they'll be held accountable," Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien said in a news release. "From Day 1, we've told Costco that our members won't work a day past January 31 without a historic, industry-leading agreement. Costco's greedy executives have less than two weeks to do the right thing."