UFCW LOCAL 75/KROGER TOLEDO BARGAINING UPDATE

February 25, 2014

UFCW Local 75 and Kroger met today to begin negotiations for the Toledo Kroger Agreements; UFCW Local 75 represents about 3,500 members working at Northwest Ohio Area Kroger stores. The Grocery/Non-Food and Meat contracts expire on March 29.

UFCW Local 75 offered language proposals for Grocery/Non-Food and Meat Agreements.  The Company presented a business overview for the Toledo Area and also discussed the competitive landscape and company growth in the area.  Over the past decades, Kroger has been able to grow and thrive in the Toledo Area.  Kroger sets itself apart from its competition and is a market leader because you provide the excellent service that keeps shoppers coming back.  You are the connection with customers.  You make the difference.

It's good for Kroger to stay competitive, and to continue its position as a market leader because more customers in the stores should mean more hours on the schedule for members of UFCW Local 75.

The last Toledo Kroger Agreements were one-year agreements, largely as a result of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  While the ACA provides a number of great benefits - coverage for dependents up to age 26, wellness care at 100% coverage, and no lifetime maximum, among them - these expanded benefits also have a cost.  Negotiations for health care coverage are increasingly complex due to the requirements of the law and their associated costs; bargaining over the last year has taken more time and necessitated the use of a number of plan professionals like actuaries and consultants.

One of the ways in which we may be able to better manage these health care changes is by combining health care plans in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo; this is something we will explore throughout negotiations.  

We are scheduled to meet again March 24 - March 28.

NOTE:  UFCW Local 75 and Kroger are continuing to bargain the Cincinnati Kroger agreement; check out our website at www.ufcw75.org for the latest information.

Should you have any questions, please contact your Union Representative.