Roanoke-Area Kroger Workers Ratify 3-Year Deal

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Members of UFCW Local 400 working at Kroger in the Roanoke area last week ratified a new, three-year collective bargaining agreement that raises their living standards and maintains their health and retirement benefits. “This agreement is as good as any in the country,” said Local 400 President Mark  Federici. “Despite the still-struggling economy, we were able to negotiate actual raises and bonuses. Our members deserve all the credit for this strong contract, because their solidarity and activism is what made everything possible.” Highlights of the new agreement include: Increases in total compensation of nearly $2/hour over the life of the contract including wages and employer contributions to the health and retirement funds, plus bonuses; Maintenance of health and retirement benefits for current employees; Expansion of job classifications that increase the number of lead positions, creating new paths for career advancement and increases in earnings, and defeat of numerous management proposals for worker concessions.