UFCW members in West Virginia vote to ratify agreement with Kroger

Following votes taken over two days at stores throughout the region, UFCW Local 400 members working at Kroger stores in West Virginia on Saturday voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement.

The agreement was unanimously recommended by the Bargaining Advisory Committee and members voted 701-208 in favor of adopting the contract. Ballots were tallied over Zoom video conference to allow members to witness the count.

The new agreement will increase wages and ensure access to affordable comprehensive healthcare coverage.

“Kroger is pleased our associates have ratified the contract and recognized our continued investment in their success,” said Paula Ginnett, president of the Kroger Mid-Atlantic division.

“This contract provides wage increases for every associate while keeping associate weekly contributions for health care benefits the same through 2021. This is affirmation of our commitment to providing a competitive total benefits package for our associates. I appreciate our associates for supporting this agreement and for the excellent service they provide our customers every day.”

According to Kroger, the Mid-Atlantic division agreement with UFCW Local 400 will include more than $20 million in wage investment and nearly $100 million in investment that maintains exceptional health care benefits.

Related:UFCW ratifies new contract with Kroger Dallas division

This agreement covers more than 4,200 associates working at 39 Kroger stores in West Virginia and surrounding areas.

“While no contract is perfect, this agreement is a significant improvement from the last offer that we resoundingly rejected,” said UFCW Local 400 in a statement. “By standing together, we were able to preserve our health care funding for the life of the contract and make other improvements that resulted in a fair deal.