Vote NO to Reject Kroger’s Offer, Vote YES to Approve Strike
After weeks of bargaining, and going late into the night prior to expiration, we have not reached an agreement with Kroger that we can recommend for ratification. Scroll down to review the latest update on Kroger’s offer and where things stand in negotiations.
Our union and the bargaining advisory committee unanimously recommend you vote NO to reject this offer and vote YES to approve a strike.
Our current contract expired at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, February 24 and we have not agreed to sign an extension to our current agreement. Beginning at midnight on Sunday, February 25, we are working without a contract. Until a strike is voted on and called, show up to work as normal. Download our FAQ on working without a contract.
Since we told Kroger that their offer was not good enough last week, we have made very little progress, and Kroger continues to provide us with proposals that we would never vote to ratify. With 18% inflation over the last few years and after all of our hard work and sacrifice through COVID, the proposals Kroger is making to us are frankly insulting. We know they can do better and they must do better if they expect us to reach an agreement.
Join us on Tuesday, February 27 at 4:00 p.m. for a Tele-Town Hall where we will review the offer in detail. You can download a copy of the offer at the link below. We strongly encourage every member to vote NO to reject this offer and vote YES to approve a strike.
We are doing a Tele-Town Hall to make it as easy as possible for every member to attend the meeting. During the Tele-Town Hall, we will review the proposal in detail and answer any questions you may have. You must register to attend the Tele-Town Hall by filling out the form below.
Voting will take place at select stores Wednesday, February 28 and Thursday, February 29 to make it as convenient as possible for every member to vote. The voting schedule with dates and locations is below. Voting will not take place over the phone. If you are unable to attend the Tele-Town Hall, print copies of the company’s offer will be provided at each voting site and union reps will be available to answer your questions before you cast a vote.
Votes will be counted on Friday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. and the results will be announced to members. Any member can register to witness the vote count at the link below. The results of the vote will be immediately announced to members after ballots are tallied.
If a strike is authorized, we will not be on strike immediately. A strike authorization vote empowers the bargaining advisory committee to call a strike at a strategic time. We will keep you updated every step of the way.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to us or talk to your shop steward or union rep if you have any questions.
Watch the Zoom Tele-Town Hall
Kroger's Offer
Download a PDF copy of Kroger’s offer.
How Kroger’s Offer Comes Up Short
Thanks to our actions put pressure on Kroger, we have made some progress on the goals we have set. However we are still far from an agreement we can recommend for ratification. We know Kroger can do better. Help us keep the pressure on – vote NO to reject this offer and YES to authorize a strike.
Our Goal: Real Raises that Overcome Inflation
Kroger’s Offer: Wages go backwards!
- Longtime employees’ wages would go backwards under Kroger’s proposal. Their proposed wage increase is less than 12% over the life of the contract, which does not overcome 18% inflation since 2020.
- Your pay could be cut under Kroger’s proposal. If you do not average 38 hours per week during their measurement period, then your pay will be cut by $1.30/hr – an over 8% wage cut!
- Most associates will still make less than $14/hr by 2027 under Kroger’s proposal.
Our Goal: Preserve Health & Welfare Benefits
Kroger’s Offer: Increases costs!
Kroger is proposing to eliminate retiree health care benefits for anyone who retires after this year.– DEFEATED- Kroger’s health care proposal includes increasing your weekly out-of-pocket contributions – eating into any wage increases.
Kroger’s proposal puts the funding of your health care plan in danger in less than two years, creating the possibility for increased deductibles, copays, and further premium increases during the life of this contract.– DEFEATED
Our Goal: More Paid Time Off
Kroger’s Offer: No additional personal holidays!
Kroger’s proposal not only does not include any additional paid time off or paid sick days, but also removes language that allows night crew members to be paid their premium when they take vacation, a pay cut for those members.– DEFEATED- Kroger has proposed a new vacation policy that allows you to accrue vacation on a faster timeline. Under Kroger’s proposal, employees hired after October 21, 1989 shall receive vacations according to the following schedule effective January 1, 2025:
- 1 week after 1 year
- 2 weeks after 4 3 years
- 3 weeks after 11 7 years
- 4 weeks after 19 13 years
- 5 weeks after 25 19 years
Our Goal: Better Hours & Scheduling
Kroger’s Offer:
Kroger’s proposal would make Sunday part of the work week and eliminate time-and-a-half after 8 hours in a day.– DEFEATEDIn addition, their proposal would REDUCE the minimum hours guarantee from 15 hours to 12 hours and the minimum shift for a call-in from 5 hours to 4 hours.– DEFEATED
Our Goal: A Safe Workplace
Kroger’s Offer:
Despite the increasing threat of gun incidents in stores, Kroger’s proposal includes no provisions on workplace safety whatsoever. They must do more to ensure everyone who works for Kroger makes it home from work safely.- Kroger has proposed a joint management-labor committee to address workplace safety.
Voting Schedule
- Voting is open at each location from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the morning and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon.
- You must be a member to vote.
- You can vote at any of the stores; you do not need to work at that store to vote there.
- Print copies of the company’s offer will be provided at each voting site and union reps will be available to answer your questions before you cast a vote.
| Wednesday, February 28, 2024 |
| Kroger #722, 80 Skyline Plaza Dr, Buckhannon, WV 26201 |
| Kroger #734, 406 John Raine Dr, Rainelle, WV |
| Kroger #752, 2007 E 7th St, Parkersburg, WV 26101 |
| Kroger #781, 6306 State Rd 107, Proctorville, OH 45669 |
| Kroger #817, 3265 Smoot Ave, Madison, WV 25130 |
| Thursday, February 29, 2024 |
| Kroger #714, 350 Patteson Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505 |
| Kroger #772, 5717 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304 |
| Kroger #774, 102 Emily Drive Clarksburg, WV |
| Kroger #794, 101 Great Teays Blvd, Scott Depot, WV |
| Kroger #790, 133 Beckley Crossing Shopping Center, Beckley, WV 25801 |
Vote Count – 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 1
Votes will be counted on Friday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. and broadcast over Zoom video conference. UFCW Local 400 members working under the Kroger West Virginia contract may register to witness the ballot count over Zoom.
Know Your Rights: Working Without A Contract
Download our FAQ on working without a contract.