Kroger workers in Houston area have new deals on the table

Thousands of Kroger workers in the Houston area are considering a pair of proposed contracts, reports Houston Public Media.

United Food & Commercial Workers Local 455, which has over 13,000 grocery store employees at more than 100 stores in the area as members, reached a tentative agreement with Kroger on three-year deals for retail clerks and meat department workers.

The deals include wage increases for all Kroger employees, a 40% drop in health insurance premiums, and a cut in the minimum hours requirements to qualify for health care coverage.

The contract that expired on Feb. 24 required employees to work at least 27 hours per week to qualify for health care coverage. The cap under the previous agreement was 20 hours a week.

“[It’s] a strong package that rewards your hard work,” said Local 455 President Brandon Hopkins in a letter to members. “It also returns many items that were taken from membership during the last contract fight. Your pension is secure, and your bargaining committee was successful in negotiating a ratification bonus, if the [agreement] is accepted by the membership.”

Union members will vote on the deals through March 12.

“The agreement recognizes our associates for their hard work by delivering significant wage increases, maintaining affordable health care, and providing a pension for retirement,” Kroger said in a statement.

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