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Workers at 11 Ohio Valley Kroger stores have approved a new contract and averted a potential strike.
The store's Columbus division released a statement Tuesday saying it had reached an agreement with The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1776KS. The union represents 1,200 workers at Kroger stores in Ohio and West Virginia.
"We are pleased to reach an agreement that is good for our associates," said Dan Da LaRosa, president of the store's Columbus division. "This new contract provides good pay increases, affordable health care and financial support from the company to our associates' pension fund to support their retirement.
"This agreement comes after thoughtful and productive work by both the company and union bargaining committees," he said. "I want to thank our associates for supporting this agreement and for the excellent, uplifting service they provide to our customers and each other every day."
Kroger did not release specific details about the contract, and union and company officials have declined to say in the past what the union wanted other than to say pay and health insurance had become points of contention. A call to a union representative was not returned.
Workers at the stores had voted twice to strike and reject previous contract offers since their contract expired Aug. 4. They had been working under two extensions. In mid-October, Kroger sent its third and final offer to the union. Members of the union's bargaining committee had recommended that workers choose to strike, but its members ratified the contract instead. That strike could have started as early as this coming Friday if it had occurred.
The union covers workers at two stores in Wheeling, two in Weirton and one each in Martins Ferry, Bellaire, St. Clairsville, Wintersville, Steubenville, Wellsburg and Moundsville.