Kroger Contract Negotiations Continue: We Won’t Leave Anyone Behind
This week, we met with Kroger representatives and exchanged proposals on our next union contract. Our proposals include:
- Bring all stores under contract where a majority of associates have signed up to join UFCW Local 400
- Raise starting rate to $15.00/hr and increase it by $2.00/hr per year
- Increase to Level 2 and Level 3 Rates by $2.50/hr per year
- Red Circle employees shall receive either the contract rate or the across-the-board rate, whichever is greater
- Change 38 hours average per week to 36 hours average per week on wage scales; and the Company shall inform employees ahead of time that they may be in danger of not meeting the minimum hours to maintain their rate of pay, thus moving from Level 3 to Level 2
- Increase Backup and Lead Premiums
- More vacation time
- More personal holidays
- Paid sick days
- No changes in out-of-pocket health care costs
- Guarantee Kroger provides adequate funding to maintain Health benefits.
- Better Vision and dental benefits
To be clear: we won’t win all of these goals. But we won’t win any of them unless we stick together. We must stand united – at all stores – and show Kroger we will do whatever it takes to win.
Kroger workers like those pictured above work at stores where most associates have signed up to join UFCW Local 400, but Kroger is refusing to respect their choice and allow them to be part of our union. They are standing together with us to demand that every store where a majority of associates have signed up for the union has the same benefits and protections of our contract as everyone else. We won’t leave anyone behind.
We have more in-person meetings scheduled with Kroger for the entire week of July 29 before our contract expires on August 3. Our goal is to secure a better contract and we won’t stop working until we get it. But the only way we will win a better contract is if we all stick together as one union.
As we move forward, we will keep you updated every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to contact us or talk to your union representative or shop steward if you have any questions or concerns.