Costco Strike Averted: What Minnesota Shoppers Need to Know

Costco is the third biggest retailer worldwide, following Walmart and Amazon. With 624 locations across the U.S., it offers its members exclusive deals and discounts.

The company has over 130 million members and employs more than 200,000 people. This week, contract talks between the Teamsters Union and Costco made headlines, as the union threatened to strike. Read more on that and how your job could get you a discounted membership below.

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How Much Does a Costco Membership Cost in Minnesota?

Costco offers both personal and business membership options, each with its own perks. The Executive Membership costs $130, while the Gold Star is priced at $65. FYI, certain professions do qualify for discounted memberships. Get that info below.

 RELATED: THIS IS THE BEST TIME TO SHOP AT COSTCO

People love the bulk items available at Costco, and the food court is also quite popular. Until recently, non-members could order from the food court, but that changed last year. Now, you need an active membership to make food court purchases.

Costco announced a big change in its food court earlier this week - They're switching from Pepsi to Coke for their drinks.

SEE BELOW: THE JOBS THAT GET DISCOUNTED COSTCO MEMBERSHIPS

Costco Strike Averted: What Minnesota Shoppers Need to Know

Costco workers in the Teamsters union authorized a nationwide strike earlier this week if certain demands weren't met , but  Minnesota shoppers would not have been affected. The strike would have involved workers from six states: California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Washington.

The Union and Company were able to reach a tentative agreement early Saturday morning avoiding a strike for now.

Meanwhile, Costco announced most non-union employees would be getting a raise on Friday. NPR reports, "hourly wages for store clerks and assistants at the top of the pay scale will go up by $1 to $30.20 an hour, rising by another $1 each year after that. Wages for entry-level workers will increase by 50 cents to $20 an hour."

Minnesota Costco Locations & The Professions That Get Discounted Memberships

Minnesota has 14 Costco locations. Costco Warehouses can be found in these cities around the state:

Baxter

Chaska

St. Cloud

Coon Rapids

Maple Grove

Duluth

St. Louis Park

Minneapolis

Maplewood

Eden Prairie

Woodbury

Eagan

Burnsville

Rochester

These Professions Can Get Discounted Costco Memberships

Costco doesn't offer free or discounted memberships to the general public, but they provide special rates for College Students, Teachers, Medical Professionals, First Responders, Government Employees, and the Military.