Kroger union workers approve contract in Cincinnati area

Associated Press

CINCINNATI November 08, 2007 07:12 am

— A union representing nearly 11,000 grocery workers voted Wednesday to approve a new labor agreement with Kroger Co. in the home of the nation's largest traditional grocer.
The leadership of Local 1099 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union had recommended that members ratify the three-year deal, which was reached Nov. 1 less than an hour before the workers could have gone on strike. The union says the pact gives workers quality health benefits, secure pensions and wage increases.
Vote totals weren't disclosed, but 84 percent of voters cast ballots in favor of ratifying the agreement, the union said in a statement.
Employees in Kroger's home territory work in 79 stores in southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana.
The deal is latest in a pivotal contract year that so far has seen Kroger avoid major labor disruptions.
Kroger, which reported $66.1 billion in sales in 2006, has about 310,000 employees in 2,491 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners, including Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's, Fry's, Dillons, QFC and City Market.

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