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Fall 2024 Scholarship Application Open NOW

Jul 26, 2024

UFCW Local 700 proudly awards $22,000 per year in scholarships to members or dependents. Scholarship applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2024 semester.

Applicants must be UFCW Local 700 members in good standing, or their legal dependents; have graduated or will graduate from high school or are currently enrolled in college or trade school; must have completed the SAT or ACT; and must be accepted to an accredited institution OR met the requirements and enrolled in a two-year community college, technical, or trade school.

Twice a year, we award $11,000 in scholarships: Five at $1,000 each and twelve at $500 each.

Postmark or email applications by Aug. 15, 2024. 

UFCW Local 700 Scholarship Fund
c/o UFCW Local 700
3091 E. 98th St, Suite #150
Indianapolis, IN 46280

OR

Email to: cphelps@ufcw700.org

The application can also be completed online:

Click here for 2 year application

Click here for 4 year application

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UFCW 700 Issues Statement on Ft. Wayne Store Shooting

May 24, 2024

FT. WAYNE – Thursday, multiple shots were reported at the East State Blvd. Kroger in Ft. Wayne. According to police reports, there were no injuries and one person is currently in custody.

United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 700 President Tracy Bartak and issued the following statement in response:

“Our hearts go out to all of our Kroger family who were affected by tonight’s shooting. Store 425 will be closed the rest of tonight and tomorrow. Beginning Friday, mental health counselors will be available free of charge for anyone in need both in person at the store as well as via phone or FaceTime. Please contact your local union representative for information on how to schedule virtual sessions.”

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Indianapolis REI Workers Announce Rally for Fair Contract on Anniversary of Co-op’s Founding

May 23, 2024

Castleton REI Workers Join National Movement to Demand Management Bargain in Good Faith 

INDIANAPOLIS – Thursday, UFCW Local 700 which represents 12,000 workers in retail, grocery and other essential industries across Indiana, announced that unionized REI workers at the Castleton location in Indianapolis would rally in front of the store on Sat. May 25 from 12 to 3 p.m. to demand REI management bargain in good faith.

This rally is part of a larger national coordinated series of actions during the REI’s annual “A Sale,” an anniversary sales event intended to celebrate the company’s founding and “what it means to be a co-op.” Workers from all 10 unionized REI stores nationwide are taking action, calling on management to stop abandoning the founders’ progressive values and negotiate in good faith.

UFCW Local 700 President Tracy Bartak said the May 25 rally is a sign of growing frustration with REI management’s abandonment of the founding principles of REI Co-Op.

“REI Co-Op was founded to promote a love of the outdoors, not union-busting,” said Bartak. “The workers at REI want the same thing everyone else wants – a fair shake and a chance at the American dream. Unfortunately, REI has already indicated it plans to break federal law and withhold raises and bonuses from these workers next year. We at UFCW 700 are proud to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters across the nation and we will not rest until we win a fair contract for REI workers.”

The rally will take place in the REI parking lot at 8490 Castleton Corner Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46250 and feature speeches from workers, union leaders and elected officials such as Sen. Fady Qaddoura, Rep. Carey Hamilton and Indianapolis City Councilor Nick Roberts.

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Sec.-Treas. Merrell Retires

Jan 05, 2024

Congratulations to Sec.-Treas. Mike Merrell on his retirement! We are grateful for Mike’s many years in service to the members of UFCW Local 700 and wish him the very best!

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UFCW700 Statement on Waynedale Kroger Tragedy

Dec 07, 2023

“Our hearts are filled with sadness and grief over today’s horrific event. UFCW Local 700 will continue to work to so our members have the resources they need to cope with this trauma and so that they are safe at work.”

– UFCW Local 700 President Tracy Bartak

Union Representatives will provide more information to our members as it becomes available.

Benefits, UFCW700 Updates

Union Scholarship Deadline EXTENDED

Dec 05, 2021

UFCW Local 700 proudly awards $22,000 per year in scholarships to members or dependents.

The deadline for applications is EXTENDED to December 17, 2021.

Applicants must be UFCW Local 700 members in good standing, or their legal dependents; have graduated or will graduate from high school or are currently enrolled in college or trade school; must have completed the SAT or ACT; and must be accepted to an accredited institution OR met the requirements and enrolled in a two-year community college, technical, or trade school.

Twice a year, we award $11,000 in scholarships: Five at $1,000 each and twelve at $500 each.

Click here for more information.

Applications must be postmarked or emailed no later than December 3, 2021. DECEMBER 17, 2021.
UFCW Local 700 Scholarship Fund
c/o UFCW Local 700
3091 E. 98th St, Suite #150
Indianapolis, IN 46280

OR

Email to jshay@ufcw700.org

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates

South Bend Kroger Workers to Receive Pay Increase Guaranteed by Union Contract

Oct 27, 2021

The work you do every day helps feed our neighbors and power our communities. You’ve been on the frontlines of a global pandemic – showing up while others stay home. Along with other UFCW Locals from around the country and our partners at the International Union, we have been fighting for additional pay that acknowledges your service in a time of crisis, for safe places to work, and for additional workplace protections.

South Bend Kroger workers can expect the next guaranteed pay increase on October 31, 2021. In our last negotiations, we secured guaranteed pay increases to better align pay with other Kroger markets throughout the state and higher premium pay. We will continue to fight in negotiations for additional pay that recognizes your continued dedication to feeding families around our state and ongoing advocacy to recognize the challenges you face at work.

A strong union contract, including higher pay and better benefits, can help attract additional workers to better manage the ongoing demands of grocery professionals; this means that there should be more people to take care of customers and stores will be better able to have appropriate levels of staff. 

We will negotiate new contracts with Kroger next year. The Indianapolis contract expires in May 2022; the Fort Wayne contract expires in August 2022; the South Bend contract expires in October 2022. Over the past few years, we have continued to push for the pay increases you’ve earned and you deserve. We raised the pay scales for this area, increased pay for Pharmacy Techs, and improved contract language. We will keep pushing to build on these victories.  

Should you have any questions or desire further information, please contact your Union Representative.

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700, Kroger Agree to Pay Increase for Workers in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne Area Stores

Oct 27, 2021

The work you do every day helps feed our neighbors and power our communities. You’ve been on the frontlines of a global pandemic – showing up while others stay home. Along with other UFCW Locals from around the country and our partners at the International Union, we have been fighting for additional pay that acknowledges your service in a time of crisis, for safe places to work, and for additional workplace protections.

We are proud to announce that we have agreed to a pay increase and increase in night crew premium for workers in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne area Kroger stores; increases are effective October 31. This pay increase is a result of your continued dedication to feeding families around our state and ongoing advocacy to recognize the challenges you face at work. You have earned these increases and you deserve them.   

A strong union contract, including higher pay and better benefits, can help attract additional workers to better manage the ongoing demands of grocery professionals; this means that there should be more people to take care of customers and stores will be better able to have appropriate levels of staff. 

We will negotiate new contracts with Kroger next year. The Indianapolis contract expires in May 2022; the Fort Wayne contract expires in August 2022; the South Bend contract expires in October 2022. Just as we stuck together to win this pay increase, we must stand together to continue building on this victory.  

Should you have any questions or desire further information, please contact your Union Representative.

Benefits, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW700 Union Scholarship Applications Open

Oct 27, 2021

UFCW Local 700 proudly awards $22,000 per year in scholarships to members or dependents.

Applicants must be UFCW Local 700 members in good standing, or their legal dependents; have graduated or will graduate from high school or are currently enrolled in college or trade school; must have completed the SAT or ACT; and must be accepted to an accredited institution OR met the requirements and enrolled in a two-year community college, technical, or trade school.

Twice a year, we award $11,000 in scholarships: Five at $1,000 each and twelve at $500 each.

Click here for more information.

Applications must be postmarked or emailed no later than December 3, 2021.
UFCW Local 700 Scholarship Fund
c/o UFCW Local 700
3091 E. 98th St, Suite #150
Indianapolis, IN 46280

OR

Email to jshay@ufcw700.org

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Continues Fight for Hazard Pay at Kroger

Sep 10, 2021

Presidents of UFCW Locals in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky continue the work of securing additional compensation for Kroger workers. Kroger recently announced that its workers are again required to wear masks in-stores. Our Local Union leaders sent more correspondence to Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen, calling on him for additional hourly compensation for Kroger workers. 

As the deadly Delta variant of COVID-19 surges across the United States, masks are once more a necessity and vaccine hesitancy means the virus will continue to mutate and spread. Our members – Kroger employees – continue to serve their customers at great risk of catching this deadly virus themselves and or bringing it home to their families. 

The courage and dedication our members have shown to their customers and their communities during this deadly pandemic has earned them hazard pay. Now, more than ever before, it is time for Kroger to do the right thing and pay them the hazard pay they deserve.

See the whole letter here.Download