As Costco is embroiled in a controversy over its DEI policies, another battle is brewing with 18,000 of their own employees, who may walk off the job as soon as this week.

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.

Thousands of Costco workers are set to strike after the retailer rejected nearly all union demands, escalating a major labour dispute over pay, benefits, and working conditions.