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3w ago

Kroger Workers Authorize Strikes Across Indiana, Georgia and Southern California

Strike authorizations across three major regions have put Kroger under fresh pressure on workers’ demands ahead of late June negotiations.

Safeway and Albertsons workers in Colorado have rejected a final offer from management, setting the clock ticking on a strike, which could happen as soon as Sunday morning. The store pictured here is at 757 E. 20th Ave. in Denver. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
A strike would shut down many Kroger locations. 
After weeks of stalled labor negotiations, thousands of Southern California grocery workers employed by Ralphs and Vons, Pavilions and Albertsons have voted to authorize their union to call a strike. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
A judge blocked Kroger Co.’s $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons Cos., finding the takeover would lessen competition for US grocery shoppers, in a ruling that marks a likely death knell for the deal. The Albertsons logo is displayed at an Albertsons supermarket on Aug. 26, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Overview

  • UFCW Local 700 members in Indiana rejected a four-year contract by 74%, activating strike authorization for about 8,000 clerks, meat cutters and pharmacy technicians.
  • Thirty CDL drivers at Kroger’s Forest Park, Georgia, fulfillment center voted 96% to authorize a strike after accusing the company of slow-walking negotiations over wages and benefits.
  • In Southern California, 45,000 UFCW members backed a 90% unfair labor practice strike authorization against Kroger’s Ralphs and Albertsons’ Vons and Pavilions, with a federal mediator expected to rejoin talks June 25-27.
  • Coordinated strike threats from Washington state to Georgia and California are amplifying union leverage as workers press for higher pay, expanded health care coverage and stronger seniority rights.
  • Potential walkouts threaten to disrupt curbside pickup, pharmacy and deli services and could cost Kroger roughly $100 million in annual operating profit for each percentage-point wage increase.