⚖️ What Are the Downsides of Unionizing — and Why They’re Worth It

Unionizing isn’t without its costs — but when you look at the facts, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Let’s walk through the most common concerns and how they’re addressed:


💸 Union Dues: A Fair Price for Representation

But here’s the truth Costco didn’t advertise:

While negotiating with the Union in 2022, Costco quietly gave a $0.50/hour raise to non-union warehouses — a raise the Union was actively negotiating.

That’s $20/week, or $80/month for full-time workers — which fully offsets your dues, and that’s from just one negotiation cycle.

✅ Dues pay for themselves — and then some — through negotiated raises.
 ✅ As more warehouses unionize, bargaining power increases, and so do the wins.


🧾 Initiation Fees: Waived!


❌ Loss of $500 401(k) Match? Offset 10x by Pension

Yes, Costco will revoke the $500/year 401(k) match for union employees. But compare that to what you gain:

✅ That’s over 10x more than the 401(k) match Costco removes.
 ✅ And the pension isn’t tied to the stock market or your own contributions.


😕 “Do Unions Even Work?”

Absolutely — and Costco’s own history proves it.

When Price Club merged with Costco, many unionized locations were grandfathered in, thanks to Sol Price’s pro-union vision. Sol encouraged employees to unionize so they could:

Unionized Costco warehouses have led the way in setting standards for:

Costco knows that if union warehouses gain a clear advantage, more employees will want in — that’s why they often try to match the union-negotiated standards even at non-union stores.

The union sets the bar. The rest of the company follows it to avoid mass organizing.


🛡️ In the End

The downsides of unionizing are real — but they are minimal and manageable, especially when stacked against the real, lasting protections and pay increases that come with a union contract. This isn’t about paying into a system — it’s about investing in a better future for yourself and your coworkers.