United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 Union says Kroger union members have voted in favor of authorizing a strike at 38 stores in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.
The move means the union bargaining committee can call a strike at any moment, though workers remain on the job at this time.The vote was conducted in select stores, with ballots tallied Friday, March 1.
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“This vote has sent a powerful message to Kroger that they must do better if they expect us to ratify a contract,” the union’s bargaining committee said in an announcement to members. “Now, we are ready to sit down with the company and negotiate an agreement that we can recommend for ratification. If not, we are ready to continue to do whatever it takes to get a fair contract. By sticking together, we will win.”
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The union said it has reached out to the company in hopes of continuing negotiations and will have an update on next steps for a potential work stoppage.
Members voted 1,375-214 (87%) to reject the company’s contract proposal and 1,347-229 (85%) to authorize a strike, according to the union. The potential work stoppage could happen at any moment and impact approximately 3,000 workers at 38 stores in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.
Kroger responded to the vote.
“Despite our proposed historical investment of $300 million in associate wages and healthcare in West Virginia, our offer was not ratified. Our associates are the heart of Kroger, and we respect and value their hard work. Our proposal would put more money in every associate’s paycheck and preserve high-quality healthcare at 72% less than the average healthcare expense for West Virginia families. We remain dedicated to finding common ground and extend an open invitation to UFCW Local 400 for further dialogue,” Lori Raya, mid-Atlantic division president of Kroger, said in response to the vote.
