On March 17, 2020, Costco CEO, Craig Jelenik, issued a letter to Costco members via email that Costco wholesale grocery stores would remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic and that Costco is firmly committed to the safety of its members and employees. However, as cases of COVID-19 infections increase exponentially every day and members continue to shop at Costco in higher volumes (congregating in large numbers against the current CDC recommendations), Costco warehouse employees feel anything but safe.

We are calling for an hourly raise for these employees who continue to put their physical and mental health on the line in order to serve their communities. Several Costco warehouse employees in California have stated that they have been reprimanded for using gloves from the maintenance department in order to protect themselves which is absolutely unacceptable. We demand that employees be provided with company-issued gloves and/or masks in order to create a safer working environment. We ask for paid sick leave so as not to put other employees at risk of becoming ill and better protection for older Costco employees who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Many hourly Costco employees have expressed their constant worry of becoming ill and passing this viral infection onto loved ones at home as well as other members of the community. However, most cannot afford to leave their jobs at this time, even if the risks are great. Other organizations like Walmart have announced bonuses for hourly employees who are also working tirelessly to keep the shelves stocked during this pandemic; we ask the same of Costco. Costco warehouse employees deserve to feel safe while working and deserve to be compensated appropriately from a company that is financially thriving in this climate.