More than 18,000 unionised Costco workers across the United States have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, as negotiations over a new labour contract approach a critical deadline.

The Teamsters union announced that 85 per cent of its members voted to authorise the strike, with workers demanding better wages and benefits from the wholesale retail giant. The current agreement is set to expire on 31 January.

"Our members have spoken loud and clear — Costco must deliver a fair contract, or they'll be held accountable," said Teamsters general president Sean M. O'Brien. "From day one, we've told Costco that our members won't work a day past January 31 without a historic, industry-leading agreement."

The union's demands come as Costco reported substantial financial success, with annual revenue reaching $254 billion and net profits of $7.4 billion — representing a 135 per cent increase since 2018.

In preparation for potential industrial action, hundreds of Costco workers have already participated in practice pickets across the country, from California to New York. The demonstrations took place in multiple locations including Hayward, Sumner, and Long Island.

Bryan Fields, a Costco worker in Baltimore and member of Teamsters Local 570, emphasised the workers' contribution to the company's success: "We are the backbone of Costco. We drive its success and generate its profits. We hope the company will step up and do right by us, but if they don't, that's on them."

The final round of negotiations between the Teamsters and Costco is scheduled to begin on 20 January. The company has not yet publicly responded to the strike authorisation vote.

Tom Erickson, director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division, described the vote as "a direct response to Costco's greed and blatant disregard for the bargaining process," adding that management has less than two weeks to address workers' concerns.

---