October, 2014

Members of UFCW Local 700 ratified an agreement with Kroger for about 800 members working in nine Kroger stores around South Bend.

The new four-year agreement includes improvements to the grievance procedure and more options for vacation. There are guaranteed wage increases every year and more positions will receive premium pay.

Health care benefits for South Bend stores were negotiated as part of the Indianapolis Stores agreement; as part of the agreement, there are more options for health care coverage and benefits are guaranteed for a year.

Pension benefits were secured through the UFCW Consolidated Fund ratified by members in 2011. Meat pension language was secured to maintain benefits.

For more information, please contact your Union Representative.

UFCW Local 700 and Kroger reached a tentative agreement for about 800 members working in 9 Kroger stores around South Bend.

Your Union Bargaining Committee worked to reach a balanced agreement. The proposed four-year agreement includes language improvements and guaranteed wage increases every year.

We were able to reach a deal quickly because health care benefits for South Bend stores were negotiated as part of the Indianapolis Stores agreement, and pension benefits were secured through the UFCW Consolidated Fund ratified by members in 2011.

Union Representatives will be in stores discussing details of the package on Monday, October 13, and Tuesday, October 14; voting will take place in stores on Wednesday, October 15. 

Your Union Bargaining Committee recommends a yes vote, and ratification of the proposed agreement.

For more information, please contact your Union Representative.

This week, UFCW Local 700 will begin bargaining for about 800 members working in nine Kroger stores around South Bend.  We’ve been preparing over the last few months and appreciate your participation in our bargaining and proposal survey; this input is very important to develop our priorities for negotiations.

Your UFCW Local 700 Union Bargaining Committee has been meeting over the last few weeks to prepare for negotiations.  Most of our bargaining will be regarding language and wages.  Members of UFCW Local 700 in South Bend are covered by the same health care plan as members in Indianapolis stores. The Indianapolis contract ratified in June 2013.  Additionally, members of UFCW Local 700 are part of the UFCW Consolidated Pension Fund, which guarantees your benefits until 2021.

Our first bargaining session is October 7, and scheduled to continue through October 9.

For more information, please contact your Union Representative.

Make sure to keep up with the latest news on bargaining!  
Email info@ufcw700.org with your name and 
store number to receive bargaining updates.