Kroger stike averted, union approves revised contract

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Thousands Kroger union members voted in favor of a new three-year contract, avoiding a potential strike.

Cincinnati-based Kroger last week presented an updated contract to UFCW Local 1059, the Columbus chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

Union negotiators have tentatively agreed to an updated contract drafted by Kroger, sending it to nearly 12,500 members.

Kroger said in a release that the modified contract includes “the largest wage investment in history” provided to Columbus employees. Salary became the main issue in the negotiations.

Some of the updated contract details included a minimum raise of $2.65 an hour for grocery, produce, deli/bakery and customer service coordinators. The starting wage for clerks was increased to $14.25 an hour. You can see more details about the new contract here.

Last month, the union voted to authorize the strike after rejecting a previously negotiated contract between Kroger and the union.

In a statement about the agreement late Thursday night, the union said in particular, “This deal modernizes pay scales and guarantees a pay raise for every member while protecting benefits. The security of the union contract is vital to many Local 1059 members and their families.”

The union said the new contract is effective immediately.

Below are the changes made to the three-year contract:

• Increase to $2.65/hour for Grocery, Food, Deli/Bakery and Customer Service Supervisors
• Up to $2.50 an hour wage increase for meat cutters
• $2.15 hourly wage increase for dairy, frozen and seafood supervisors
• $2.15 per hour on a 3-year contract for all Assistant Managers, Hosts, Meat Cutters and Draftsmen
• $2.15/hour wage increase for GM Division Manager, GM Division Manager, Managers and Assistant Managers
• Former department heads and service directors (clothing manager, service director – hired before March 16, 1982, and service director – hired from March 16, 1982 to November 20, 2005) will receive a $2.15 salary increase per hour according to the agreement.
• Top-rated full-time chefs and service directors (hired on or after November 20, 2005, but promoted by November 18, 2018) will receive a $2.15 per hour wage increase an hour.
• Increase to $3.05/hour for senior level pharmacy technicians
• The starting rate for a pharmacy technician is increasing by $4, and the starting rate for certified pharmacy technicians is increasing by $4.50
• The starting wage for clerks will be $14.25 an hour
• Wage increase to $1.00/hour for courtesy clerks and baggers.

You can read the full Kroger pay scale with agreed changes here.