Bargaining Update #8

Updated 1:00 p.m., May 18, 2016

On Wednesday, May 18, at our mass meeting in Salem, our members voted unanimously to reject Kroger’s “last best offer” and authorize a strike at 41 stores in the region.

Kroger’s latest proposal would have provided only slight wage increases and no paid sick days for store associates. It also fell short of renewing the company’s commitment to providing health insurance for its retirees.

By rejecting this insulting offer and voting to authorize a strike, we sent a strong, clear message to Kroger: we demand a fair deal and we are willing to fight for it.

And it worked. Shortly after voting to authorize a strike, Kroger reopened negotiations with us. The full bargaining team will resume negotiations on Monday, May 23 and Tuesday, May 24.

The vote to authorize a strike does not mean we are on strike immediately. It sends a clear message to Kroger that we are willing to do whatever it takes to get a fair deal.

While Kroger offered us only quarters and dimes over the next four years, the company gave CEO Rodney McMullen a 17% raise to $11.2 million a year. He now makes $5,366.55 per hour, or $89.44 per minute.

This is a slap in the face to all of us who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much for this company. If millionaires in the corporate office deserve raises, then so do we. After all, our hard work is what makes this company a success in the first place.

The only way we will win a fair contract is if we continue to stand together and prove to Kroger that we’re willing to fight.

Together, we can do this!

Signed,
UFCW Local 400 Bargaining Team

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