INDIANAPOLIS, June 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR) today announced its Central division associates in
Indiana ratified a new labor
agreement with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW)
Local 700.
As part of Restock Kroger, the Kroger Family of Companies
is investing an incremental $500
million in associate wages, training and development across
the business. The improvements support Kroger's continued efforts
to accelerate pay and benefits.
"Kroger is a place where you can come for a career with promise.
A key driver of Restock Kroger is talent development, and we
are committed to investing in our associates in many ways,
including wages and our industry-leading Feed Your Future education
assistance program," said Tim Massa,
Kroger's senior vice president and chief people officer.
"Indianapolis is one of several
markets across America where Kroger is increasing wages, and we
will continue to invest in additional divisions."
The new agreement covers nearly 9,500 associates under the
Indianapolis collective bargaining
agreement with UFCW Local 700. The agreement raises starting wages
to $10.00 an hour for most clerks,
and associates will receive regular wage increases every six
months.
"We are pleased to reach an agreement that benefits our
associates," said Pam Matthews,
president of Kroger's Central division. "This new contract provides
significant wage increases, maintains affordable Kroger-sponsored
health care and continues investments in our associates' pension
fund for their retirement. I appreciate our associates for
supporting this agreement and for the uplifting service they
provide every day to our customers."
Leaders of UFCW also praised the deal. "We stuck together and
reached an agreement that increases pay; protects affordable,
quality health care; and secures retirement benefits for the
future," said UFCW Local 700 President Joe Chorpenning. "This contract creates
more opportunity for our members to have a better life."
About Kroger
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.