UFCW Local 700 Announces Highlights of Proposed Contract with Southern Illinois Meat
UFCW Local 700 reached a tentative agreement with Kroger for a new, four-year Southern Illinois Meat Contract.
The proposed contract raises pay and protects your benefits:
- Immediate increases of at least $1.00 for Meat Department Leads and Clerks
- Higher starting rates for new hires
- Raises night premium pay to $2.00 per hour
- New pay scale to earn more raises faster
- Protects affordable, quality health care with minimal increases that don’t begin until January 1, 2026
- No plan design changes to dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability
- Meat pension protected
Should you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative.
Your Union Negotiating Committee, Officers, and Staff recommend a YES VOTE TO APPROVE the proposed contract.
Special thanks to our Negotiating Committee Members Les Cox (L-380) and Harry Ray (L-687).
UFCW Local 700, Kroger Reach Tentative Agreement for Southern IL Meat Contract
UFCW Local 700 is proud to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement with Kroger for a new Southern Illinois Meat Contract. The proposed contract raises pay, protects your benefits, and strengthens contract language.
Your Union Negotiating Committee recommends a yes vote to approve the proposed contract.
You can expect more details and a contract voting schedule later this week. Voting will take place in stores. Until a new contract is approved by members, your pay, benefits, and work rules will stay the same.
Should you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative.
UFCW Local 700 Announces Member Appreciation Night at Ft. Wayne Tin Caps
Bring your family for a night of fun! Join us on Saturday, July 22, for food, fun, and baseball! Tickets are only $5 per person and include buffet dinner.
Reserve your tickets by July 6! Scan the QR code below or click here to purchase.

UFCW Local 700 Announces Member Appreciation Night at Indy Indians
UFCW Local 700 Holds Annual Steward Seminar
UFCW Local 700 Kroger Stewards gathered this week for our annual educational Seminar. Our Stewards are the first line of defense and enforcement of our contracts. This year, special guests provided sessions on what’s happening in our region, health care benefits, growing our union throughout the country, and building a stronger path to power for our members. UFCW Local 700 Executive Board Member Juan Ruffin was also presented with a special award for his tireless advocacy and work in electing candidates who fight for hardworking families.
UFCW Local 700 Announces Scholarship Program
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.
Get your scholarship application:
- Online
- CALL UFCW Local 700 at 800.334.3619
- CONTACT your Union Representative
DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Applications must be postmarked or emailed no later than January 30, 2023.
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 Statement on Proposed Kroger-Albertsons Merger
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.3 million workers in grocery stores, meatpacking plants, and other essential industries across North America, released the following statement on proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, two of UFCW’s largest employers.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone released the following statement:
“The proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons has serious implications for hundreds of thousands of our UFCW members and America’s families who are more concerned than ever about inflation’s impact on the price of their food and groceries, prescription drugs, and gas. As America’s largest union of essential workers, protecting the livelihoods of this nation’s grocery workers, union and non-union, is our highest priority.
“Given the national impact such a merger would have, the UFCW and our Local Unions are discussing this and will stand together to prioritize the best interests of our members, their families, and the communities they proudly serve.
“To be clear, the UFCW will oppose any merger that threatens the jobs of America’s essential workers, union and non-union, and undermines our communities.”
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The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States. UFCW International represents 1.3 million professionals and their families in healthcare, grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries. Our members serve our communities in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at ufcw.org.
UFCW Local 700 Members Approve New Contract with Kroger for South Bend Stores
Your UFCW Local 700 Union Negotiating Committee is proud to announce that members have approved a new, three-year contract with Kroger; the proposed contract covers about 800 workers at nine stores in the South Bend area.
The new contract includes:
- Guaranteed pay raises and ratification bonuses
- Pay raises are effective three weeks following ratification
- Affordable, quality health care for you and your families
- Weekly co-premium will increase by only $1 per week in 2025
- Retirement security through UFCW Consolidated Pension and VAPP plans
- Defined benefit pension extended to a new group of workers
- Language improvements include better provisions for earning holidays and holiday pay, greater flexibility for vacation, and additional non- discrimination language
Special thanks to our members serving on the Union Negotiating Committee:
Mike Alvarez, Kroger 966
Katt Batman, Kroger 889
Lisa Bogue, Kroger 963
Julie Bolton, Kroger 915
Kyle Dooley, Kroger 886
Ninfa Garza, Kroger 903
Samantha Griffin, Kroger 879
Patrick Harlan, Kroger 901
Mariann Taft, Kroger 938
Tracy Bartak Sworn in as President of UFCW Local 700
Dear Brothers and Sisters of UFCW Local 700:
I want to thank former UFCW Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning for almost 37 years of dedication to the members of UFCW. Joe spent his career fighting for our members and working to uplift all hardworking families. During his career, Joe built strong Local unions and a better future for all UFCW members. He used his experience to build a bigger, better, stronger union.
Today, the Executive Board selected me to succeed Joe; I am honored to continue this work.
Together, we increased the size of our union and made it stronger. Because we worked together, members approved strong contracts, raised pay, and protected the health care and pension benefits that you’ve earned and deserve. Working together is how we were able to expand our members-only benefits programs and become an early adopter of the free college program. It’s why we were able to organize new members in several industries. All of that means that our members and their families can have a better life.
I will put my experience to work for our members. I’ve been a Union Representative in both retail and in plants and have negotiated major contracts in both of those industries. During my career at UFCW, I’ve also worked on organizing campaigns. Prior to working at UFCW, I worked on the administrative side of both health care and pension funds.
We will work together with an eye toward the future. Solid contracts. Long term stability for our union. Continuing to find new and innovative ways to serve our members in the workplace. Developing additional members only benefit programs. Growing our union by organizing new members.
I appreciate the opportunity to serve with you and for you, and look forward to building a bigger, better, stronger union together.
In solidarity,

Tracy Bartak