Michigan Kroger Workers Extend Contract

SN STAFF

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. — After workers at 17 Kroger stores in the Flint and Saginaw, Mich., areas rejected a labor contract offer from Cincinnati-based Kroger Co., they have agreed to extend the current pact until Sept. 15, reports said Thursday.

As previously reported, the workers voted to authorize the two union locals, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 876, based here, and UFCW Local 951, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., to call a strike if necessary.

The contract covers about 1,900 workers employed at former Kessel stores that Kroger had acquired in 2000. The union said workers are are "unsatisfied" with proposed pay rates, wage freezes and health insurance costs.