COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 12,
2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.'s (NYSE: KR) Columbus division today announced associates
working at stores in the region have ratified a new labor agreement
with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local
1059.
The Columbus division agreement
raises starting wages to at least $10
per hour and accelerates wage progressions to $11 an hour after one year of service. It also
includes a premium increase for night shift work.
"A key driver of Restock Kroger is talent development and
we are committed to investing in our associates. We are investing
significantly in wages in certain markets across the country," said
Tim Massa, Kroger senior vice
president of human resources and labor relations. "Our Feed Your
Future educational assistance program is another way we are
investing in our associates. Nearly 2,000 associates across the
company have taken advantage of this program since its launch
earlier this year. Kroger is a place where you can come for a
career with promise."
The Columbus contract was set
to expire in August 2020. Kroger is
accelerating its previously announced $500
million invest in associate wages, training and development
as part of Restock Kroger, the company's plan to serve
America through food inspiration and uplift. The new Columbus agreement is one of several contracts
recently ratified.
The Local 1059 contract covers more than 13,000 associates
working at 83 stores in Columbus
and surrounding areas.
"UFCW Local 1059 is pleased to have negotiated a new contract in
mid-term that secures better wages, continues to provide affordable
health care and provides a voice for our hardworking Kroger
members," said Randy Quickel, president of UFCW Local
1059.
"This new contract provides significant pay increases, maintains
affordable Kroger-sponsored health care and a pension to support
associates' retirement," said Dan De La
Rosa, president of Kroger's Columbus division. "This agreement comes after
thoughtful and productive work by both the company and union
bargaining committees. I want to thank our dedicated associates for
supporting this agreement and for the excellent, uplifting service
they provide to our customers every day."
At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose:
to Feed the Human Spirit™. We are nearly
half a million associates who serve nine million customers daily
through a seamless digital shopping experience and 2,800 retail
food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America
through food inspiration and uplift, and creating
#ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us,
visit our newsroom and investor relations site.
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.