By L.M. SIXEL
Houston Chronicle

The union that represents 12,700 Houston-area Kroger cashiers, stockers and meat cutters is asking its members to vote Wednesday to authorize the leadership to call a strike against the giant grocery chain.

Negotiators with the United Food and Commercial Workers Union are upset with the company's most recent offer on health care, said Amber Sparks, spokeswoman for UFCW International in Washington.

Although she said she can't reveal the details, Sparks said the union believes the company's health insurance offer was a step back.

The union's contract with Kroger expired March 31.

"We're tired of the company playing games with members," Sparks said. "The only way we can get the company to listen is to take a strike vote."

Kroger spokesman Gary Huddleston in Dallas said he was surprised to hear about the vote because negotiators have another bargaining session scheduled for this week.

In the meantime, employees are working under a contract extension.

"We're looking for a fair settlement," Huddleston said. "We believe we can reach a fair settlement on health care."

Kroger is also negotiating contracts with the UFCW in Southern California; Toledo, Ohio; and Seattle.