More than 200 workers at a local Costco have unveiled plans to unionize.
Employees at the Coralville Costco along Heartland Drive are poised to unionize with Teamsters 238, citing a fight to win back “dignity and respect” amid “years of declining workplace conditions.”
Flyers accuse Costco of spreading ‘anti-union’ propaganda
Flyers titled “Hold Costco Accountable” were distributed outside the Englert Theatre on Feb. 22 ahead of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ visit.
The flyers say Costco has spread “anti-union propaganda” and violated worker’s rights by “blocking the distribution of pro-union materials in break rooms,” which prompted the Teamsters to file a charge against Costco management in Coralville.
“Costco should respect their employees’ rights under federal law to organize with their coworkers,” Teamsters 238 Secretary-Treasurer Jesse Case said in a statement. “When good companies like Costco violate workers’ rights, it comes across as petty and unnecessary.”
The Iowa City Press-Citizen filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the National Labor Relations Board for the Teamsters’ filing. Specifics about the charging document were not immediately available Monday afternoon.
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Teamsters warn of ‘anti-union’ literature and layoffs
A letter to Costco employees posted on the Teamsters 238 website warned that company management may engage in group or one-on-one meetings, will “likely distribute anti-union literature,” and may replace managers.
“Don’t buy any of it,” the letter read. “While employers love to play nice during a union organizing drive and bribe employees with promises and pizza parties, they always revert to the same old way of doing business once the organizing drive is over.”
Teamsters 238 represents thousands of workers across Iowa as part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a nationwide union that represents millions of workers in the state.
Sandy Burkey, a local Cosco employee, speaks to the crowd about union organizing ahead of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ visit on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 at The Englert Theatre in Iowa City, Iowa.
Costco employee speaks at Bernie Sanders event in Iowa City
Sen. Bernie Sanders, in his Saturday visit to Iowa City, was preceded by several speakers highlighting some of his talking points, including a former park ranger, a University of Iowa student, a union head and VA nurse and a local Costco employee.
Sandy Burkey took the stage in front of the capacity crowd at the Englert with emotion. She has worked at Costco for a “long time” and is the local produce supervisor. Burkey loves her job, she said, but compared when she started working there, things have “gone downhill.”
“We used to be valued. We used to be more than just numbers to the company,” Burkey said. “And it’s time that we remind Costco that we are the company.”
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The address prompted cheers and claps from the packed theatre. Burkey also urged community members not to boycott the store, but to stop by, say ‘hi’ and help provide courage to continue fighting for unionization.
“We need your support, and we need the courage to keep going,” Burkey said. “And we’re asking you to join our community coalition for worker’s rights. We’re asking you to follow us and help us join the other 18,000 Costco Teamsters.”
Local senator voices support of Costco employees
State Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, also voiced support for Costco employees unionizing in the district he represents.
“Workers in Coralville and across Iowa deserve the freedom to organize without interference from management,” Wahls said. “Costco’s actions undermine the fundamental rights of its employees. I stand with these workers and the growing coalition fighting to ensure their voices are heard.”
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Find out why 200 Costco employees in Coralville are unionizing
