UFCW members of Houston Local Unions 455 and 408 met throughout the weekend with Kroger negotiators to attempt to hammer out Health and Welfare funding requirements needed for a new agreement before a March 31 contract expiration date.

Although some progress was made, the Kroger company is still insisting on a different plan. Both the Unions and the company agreed to extend the existing labor contract beyond the expiration deadline of midnight Saturday, March 31.

The contract extension agreement will be in place until a new labor agreement is reached or one party gives the other a seven day notice to terminate the extension.

UFCW Local 455 President Bill Hopkins and UFCW Local 408 Trustee Chad Young both stated that the extension was necessary because many issues remain to be discussed. Both leaders said that that they don't want a quick deal--they want the right deal.

Negotiation will continue throughout the week.