09/27/2022

Kroger’s Columbus Branch, Union Back to Bargaining Tuesday

A strike may still come

A meeting between Kroger and the union bargaining committee representing its central and southeastern Ohio employees is slated for Tuesday following two weeks of public back-and-forth and threats of a labor strike that could still come. 

Kroger consistently characterized the most recent contract offer rejected by workers two Fridays ago as its “last, best and final offer” — but then said last Wednesday it would return to the negotiating table. Fifty-five percent of voting union workers turned down that third tentative contract agreement with the grocery chain and more than 80 percent authorized the union to call a strike on Sept. 16. The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 1059 has not called one yet, however, asking Kroger to instead come back and bargain. 

Workers voted down two previous versions of the proposal in late July and late August, according to emails sent to UFCW Local 1059 members obtained by NBC4. In the third version, proposed wage increases include three raises for workers — of $0.65, $0.50, and $0.65 — each year and for a total of $1.80 through 2024, according to a Kroger press release.

Please select this link to read the complete article by NBC4.