Negotiations

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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.

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

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates

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

Aug 20, 2021

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.

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates

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

Aug 11, 2021

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.

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700, Kroger Set New Dates to Negotiate Decatur Contract

Jul 27, 2021

Your UFCW Local 700 Union Negotiating Committee has been negotiating a new contract for the three Decatur-area stores; the contract covers about 300 workers.

After our prior meetings in July, we planned to reconvene on August 30 and August 31. Instead, we will meet on August 9 and August 10.

Your Union Negotiating Committee is working to reach an agreement that raises pay, protects seniority, and keeps you safe and healthy at work.

Should you have any questions or if you would like further information, please contact your Union Representative. 

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700, Kroger Begin Negotiations for New Decatur Contract

Jul 15, 2021

Your UFCW Local 700 Union Negotiating Committee recently met with the Company to start negotiating a new contract for the three Decatur-area stores. The contract covers about 300 workers.

During the meetings on July 12 and July 13, the parties exchanged initial proposals. Additional negotiations are scheduled for August 30 and August 31.

Your Union Negotiating Committee is working to reach an agreement that raises pay, protects seniority, and keeps you safe and healthy at work.

Should you have any questions or if you would like further information, please contact your Union Representative. 

Community Action, Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates

Kroger Workers to Receive Additional Pay

Aug 25, 2020

Grocery workers have continued to serve our communities throughout this pandemic – ensuring that people and families have the food and supplies they need. UFCW Local 700 has continued to advocate for additional pay for our members to recognize the sacrifices and risk you take by continuing to do your jobs.

Hourly Kroger workers active as of August 15, 2020 will receive a $100 Thank You Credit on your loyalty card. (This credit is not taxable.) In addition, you will receive 1,000 fuel points. Both of these will be applied on September 1. If you do not have a loyalty card, you will receive a $100 gift card that will not be taxed.

Kroger workers who were on Leave of Absence (LOA) as of Aug 15 are not eligible, with the exception of those on Emergency LOA.

The $100 store credit will be issued for each qualifying hourly associate. For example, if a parent and child are both qualifying hourly workers and share a loyalty card, they will receive a credit of $200, or $100 per worker. In the same way, 1,000 bonus fuel points will be issued for each qualifying Kroger worker. (Members of the household must have their loyalty cards linked in ExpressHR for these offers to automatically load.)

We will keep advocating for additional pay and resources for you. We believe this additional pay should continue, as the COVID-19 crisis is, too.

Thank you for all of the ways you serve our community. Should you have questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact your Union Representative.

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates

UFCW Local 700 Members Approve New Contract with Maple Leaf

Jan 27, 2020

Your UFCW Local 700 Union Negotiating Committee is proud to announce that members have overwhelmingly approved a new three-year agreement with Maple Leaf Farms for a contract covering about 130 workers.

Together, we reached an agreement that will help create a better place to work and a more secure future for Maple Leaf workers and your families. With your support and solidarity, we:
• Increased pay
• Secure wage rates for additional job classifications
• Kept insurance premiums affordable
• Improved paid funeral leave benefits
• Increased vacation time for newer employees
• Protected additional hours by seniority

Special thanks to the union members serving on the Negotiating Committee; we appreciate your time, effort, and thoughtful consideration of contract issues and proposals throughout the process:

Bev Arthur
Magdalena Camarena
Araceli Gomez

New copies of the contract will be available within 4-6 weeks. Should you have any questions or desire further information, please contact your Union Representative.

Negotiations, UFCW700 Updates, Worker Action

UFCW Local 700 Members Approve New South Bend Kroger Contract

Oct 23, 2019

Your UFCW Local 700 Union Negotiating Committee is proud to announce that members have overwhelmingly approved a new three-year agreement with Kroger for a contract covering about 800 workers in the nine South Bend-area stores.

We stuck together in negotiations and won:

  • Guaranteed pay increases
  • Lump-sum compensation
  • Higher premiums
  • Quality, affordable health care for members and your families
  • Health care benefit improvements
  • Retirement security for a better future
  • Language improvements creating more opportunity for you

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