WEST VIRGINIA (WOAY) – Workers at Kroger stores throughout our region have voted to authorize a strike.
The vote was overwhelming. A total of 1,347 union workers, or 85% of the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400 union, voted to authorize the strike.
The strike has not been called yet, but it could happen at any time. Any work stoppage would impact 38 stores and pull 3,000 workers to the picket lines.
The strike would impact all of the locations in our viewing area.
Kroger and the union have been in the midst of negotiations for a new contract but have not been able to come to terms.
The union says that Kroger’s proposed pay increase does not fully compensate for inflation.
In a statement today, Kroger Mid-Atlantic division president Lori Raya defended the company’s proposal.
“Despite our proposed historical investment of $300 million in associate wages and healthcare in West Virginia, our offer was not ratified. Our associates are the heart of Kroger, and we respect and value their hard work,” she said. “Our proposal would put more money in every associate’s paycheck and preserve high-quality healthcare at 72% less than the average healthcare expense for West Virginia families. We remain dedicated to finding common ground and extend an open invitation to UFCW Local 400 for further dialogue.
Locations that would be affected by the strike:
- Kroger #805, 1734 Harper Rd, Beckley, WV 25801
- Kroger #790, 133 Beckley Crossing, Beckley, WV 25802
- Kroger #780, 411 Mall Rd, Oak Hill, WV 25901
- Kroger #770, 151 Beaver Plaza , PO Box 579, Beaver, WV 25813
- Kroger #765, 180 Red Oak Shop Ctr, Ronceverte, WV 24970
- Kroger #743, 308 Stokes Dr, Hinton, WV 25951
- Kroger #734, 518 Park Center US Rt 60, Rainelle, WV 25962
