Kroger Cincinnati/Dayton Associates Ratify New Contract

[Sherman A1]

https://progressivegrocer.com/kroger-cincinnatidayton-associates-ratify-new-contract

Associates working at stores in The Kroger Co.’s Cincinnati/Dayton division have ratified a new labor agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 75.

This is the first contract ratified under Restock Kroger, Kroger's plan to serve America through food inspiration and uplift. As part of Restock Kroger, Kroger is investing an incremental $500 million in associate wages, training and development over the next three years. This is in addition to the company's continued efforts to rebalance pay and benefits.

The agreement raises starting wages to at least $10 per hour and accelerates wage progressions to $11 an hour after one year of service. It also includes a premium increase for night shift work.

"UFCW Local 75 strives to negotiate contracts that secure better wages and affordable benefits, providing a voice for hard-working men and women and strengthening our communities and this contract does those important things," said Kevin Garvey, president of Local 75, which represents nearly 20,000 associates working at 109 stores in greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana.

[JayhawkSD]

1. UFCW is one of the very best labor unions in the nation.

The labor leaders are workers on the grocery store floor. They do not become "suits" once elected to union leadership, and are paid by the union only when they are taken away from working in the store, being paid their store wage for the time that they spend in negotiations with management. This is a very large part of why the union negotiates in such good faith and so specifically in the workers' interest. They very much do "strengthen their communities."

When union leaders become "suits" and engage in lobbying and such, and are no longer working shoulder-to-shoulder with the workers they represent (Steelworkers, Teamsters, etc.), they do not negotiate in the best interest of the workers, but rather in order to maintain their own positions of power. They only marginally benefit the workers, and in some ways harm their long term interests, they weaken the employers, and the weaken the communities they serve.

[Sherman A1]

2. My experience with the UFCW

has been nothing but good and I was proud to have been a member for 43 years.