UFCW Determined to Protect Kroger Membership

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., June 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the Kroger contract expired at midnight, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 876 continued to fight concessionary demands from Kroger as it worked toward a fair settlement for 12,000 workers at 118 stores in Michigan.

The Kroger Company's proposals to the union include defunding a trust account that pays for worker's health insurance benefits, which would leave the fund with a significant shortage, which resulted in stalled contract talks.

"The employer is proposing the union jeopardize the health and welfare fund in order to reach an agreement," Roger Robinson, president and chief negotiator for the union, said. "The company has remained adamant on this issue, which would result in the membership either incurring increased costs or reduced benefits – that is unacceptable."

Talks will resume on Thursday.

SOURCE United Food and Commercial Workers Local 876