Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic division ratifies agreement with union

The Kroger Co. announced Wednesday that employees at 41 stores in its Mid-Atlantic Division have ratified a new labor agreement with UFCW (United Food Commercial Workers) Local 400.

        The agreement covers 5,100 associates in Virginia from Bristol east to Appomattox and from Martinsville north to Harrisonburg, including three stores in Kingsport/Johnson City, Tenn., and two stores in the Bluefield, West Va. area.  Kroger workers in the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas are part of other bargaining units whose contracts are negotiated at a different time.

        “We are pleased to reach an agreement that is good for our associates,” Joe Fey, president of the Mid-Atlantic Division, said in a statement.  “This new contract provides wage increases, affordable health care and ongoing investment in our associates’ pension fund to support their retirement.” 

A spokesman for the division, based out of Roanoke, said he couldn't comment on how much of a wage increase union employees would get. The Roanoke Times reported Thursday that the new contract includes a 30-cent-per-hour wage increase for full-time associates and a 25-cent increase for part-time workers. According to the RT, the vote to ratify was 426 in favor and 366 voting to reject.

        “This agreement comes after thoughtful and productive work by both the company and the union bargaining committees,” said Fey.  “I appreciate our associates for supporting the agreement and for the excellent service they provide our customers every day.”

        The Mid-Atlantic Division includes 120 stores in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. In these stores are 116 pharmacies and 89 fuel centers.