Kroger Makes New Proposal for Central Ohio Union

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The union representing Kroger workers in central and southern Ohio said on Wednesday that an offer for a new contract had been made by the company.

In a statement, Randy Quickle, Chairman of United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 1059, said:

“Negotiations concluded today with a renewed contract offer to share with Membership. Our members have the final say on whether this offer addresses their concerns and we Our top priority is to share this offer with our members. Our efforts are focused on the needs of our members to give them the wages and benefits they deserve as tireless and essential workers serving this community. Our focus was on delivering.”

Randy Quickell, UFCW Local 1059 President

Through a spokesperson, Kroger issued a statement confirming that an agreement had been reached, but also declined to include details.

The Kroger Columbus Division and the UFCW Local 1059 Committee met today to reach an agreement to amend the contract deal. This allows us to proceed with contracts that benefit our associates. UFCW Local 1059 will share details of the changes with members and open a vote in the future.

Amy McCormick, Corporate Affairs Manager at The Kroger Co.

Wednesday is Day 2 It was the first time since the UFCW members that the two sides met for negotiations, Kroger said.Last, Best, Final Offer”

Quickel’s statement did not specify what the new offer would be or when the membership vote would take place. However, according to an email sent to members obtained by NBC4, details of the tentative agreement will be sent to members on Friday after the documents are finalized.

That same email states that members will vote on contract offers at individual stores at scheduled times from Tuesday, October 4th through Thursday, October 6th.

On September 16th, UFCW notified its members: 55% of 6,700+ members declined their third provisional contract Offered by grocery chains. Kroger and the UFCW had encouraged members to ratify that version, as had his two previous proposals.

Previous votes took place in late July and late August, according to emails sent to UFCW Local 1059 members obtained by NBC4.

Kroger has consistently described the contract proposal rejected by workers earlier this month as “the last, best and final proposal,” but then returned to the negotiating table less than a week after the vote. Rather than calling a strike, the union had publicly called for Kroger to come back and negotiate.

82 stores and approximately 12,500 employees within the Columbus division will be under the new contract. These stores are spread across central and southern Ohio.