FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 3, 2007
TOLEDO GROCERY WORKERS
STAND TOGETHER FOR FAIR CONTRACT WITH KROGER
Workers Win the Fight for Affordable Health
Care and Wage Increases
(Toledo, Ohio)—Grocery workers in Toledo, Ohio,
represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union Local
911, won a lengthy negotiations battle when they voted yesterday to ratify a
three-year contract agreement securing affordable, quality health care and
wages that workers can raise a family on.
The Toledo workers stood together through long, tough negotiations with the
Kroger Company, and held firm in their resolve to preserve affordable health
care and living wages for all Kroger workers. They were successful, and
agreed to a contract including:
·
wage increases over the length of the contract
between $1.00 and $1.65 per hour;
·
shorter waiting periods for health care
coverage;
·
increased pension contributions for a secure
retirement; and
·
increased vacation leave for employees.
Throughout the negotiations
process, UFCW members demonstrated solidarity and strength in bargaining for
a fair contract. Coordinated action with supporters and customers was also
key to the workers’ success. Community members, supporters and grocery
workers sent emails of support, held a press conference for Kroger workers,
sent emails to Kroger CEO David Dillon, and signed petitions in support of a
fair contract.
The coordinated effort in Toledo is part of a UFCW nationwide bargaining
unity program. By supporting each other regionally and nationally, as well
as engaging customers and community members in their struggle, grocery
workers are improving grocery industry jobs for themselves and their
communities. To learn more about the Toledo contract and other bargaining
campaigns, go to:
www.groceryworkersunited.org.
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Contacts: Jill Cashen (202)728-4797, Amber Sparks (202)466-1528, or
press@ufcw.org.
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