Teamsters Strike Kroger Louisville Warehouse

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Teamsters unhappy with Kroger's decision to outsource management of its warehouse and transportation services called a strike here Wednesday. About 50 workers picketed the entrance to the 776,000-square-foot warehouse, which was transferred from Kroger to Zenith Logistics earlier this year. “Kroger stores remain open for business as usual,” Tim McGurk, a spokesman for Kroger‘s Mid-South division, said in a statement. “While this is unfortunate, and we hope the third parties resolve it quickly, it will not disrupt our stores or the service our customers have come to expect.” Officials from Teamsters Local 89, which represents striking workers, and Verst Group Logistics, the Walton, Ky.-based parent of Zenith, were not immediately available for comment. Teamsters raised objections to the transfer shortly after it was announced by Kroger last October, saying workers would experience deep cuts in wages and benefits under the new arrangement. The warehouse serves around 140 stores.