Author Archives

RSS

Sec.-Treas. Merrell Retires

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!

UFCW700 Statement on Waynedale Kroger Tragedy

“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.

Union Scholarship Deadline EXTENDED

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

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

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.

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

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.

UFCW700 Union Scholarship Applications Open

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

UFCW Continues Fight for Hazard Pay at Kroger

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.

UFCW Local 700 Members Approve New Contract with Kroger for Decatur Stores

Your UFCW Local 700 Union Negotiating Committee is proud to announce that members have approved a new three-year contract covering the Decatur-area stores. Our new contract will create a better, more secure future for Kroger workers and your families.

We worked to reach an agreement that raises pay, protects seniority, and keeps you safe and healthy at work. The new contract includes increases for starting pay rates, for people moving through the brackets, and for top rate. It improves daily claiming rights and language for the grievance procedure. The contract protects quality, affordable health care for members and your families, and the retirement security you’ve earned. 

Special thanks to the union members serving on the Negotiating Committee. We appreciate your time, work, and thoughtful consideration of contract issues and proposals throughout this process:

Jody Burns, Kroger J-946

Karen Browning, Kroger J-922

Justi Houser, Kroger J-924

Christine Ramsey, Kroger J-946

Diane Ridgeway, Kroger J-924

For details on our contract wins, should you have any questions, or if you’d like further information, please contact your Union Representative.

UFCW Local 700, Kroger Reach Tentative Agreement for new Decatur Contract

Your UFCW Local 700 Union Negotiating Committee is proud to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement for a new contract covering the three Decatur-area stores. 

We worked to reach an agreement that raises pay, protects seniority, and keeps you safe and healthy at work. Your Union Negotiating Committee recommends a yes vote to approve the new contract.

UFCW Local 700 Representatives and Negotiating Committee members will be in stores to share the proposed contract and answer your questions on Tuesday, August 17, and Wednesday, August 18. Contract voting will take place in stores on Thursday, August 19; a full schedule for voting is below.

UFCW Local 700-Kroger Decatur: CONTRACT VOTE SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 19, 2021

Kroger 922Kroger 924Kroger 946
12noon – 1pm10am – 11am8am – 9am
7pm – 8pm5pm – 6pm3pm – 4pm
You may vote in the time and location most convenient for you.

UFCW Local 700 Announces Union Scholarship Winners

UFCW Local 700 proudly awards $22,000 per year in scholarships to members and your dependents. Congratulations to the most recent winners!

Isabella Bazan (Crystal Bazan, Kroger J-965)

Ariel Douglas, Kroger J-944

Aaron Logsdon, Kroger J-902

Paola Nieves, Kroger J-837

Abdelmuezz Zeidan, Kroger J-928

Nadav Alkaslassy, Kroger J-998

Natalia Arreaza (Antonio Arreaza, ConAgra Bakery)

Janet Bartholomew, Kroger J-990

Avery Cunningham, Kroger J-911

Emalee Dehner, Kroger A-406

Anna Meng, Kroger J-115

Katelyn Monnier, Kroger J-972

Reid Schene, Kroger J-974

Alexys Shepherd (Mechelle Shepherd, Kroger J-894)

Keyen Taulbee (Brandi Taulbee, Kroger J-71)

Josephene Wolfe, Kroger J-990