Dear UFCW Local 455 Kroger Members,
Your Union contract is set to expire on February 27, 2027. In the coming weeks and months your Union will be releasing a series of educational updates to help prepare you for the upcoming collective bargaining process.
Collective bargaining is the process of negotiating with your employer, through your Union, to determine terms of employment. Through collective bargaining, workers have secured many workplace standards, including the 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek, overtime pay, paid vacations and holidays, safety, health requirements, and more.
The Collective Bargaining Process
Preparation:
Your Union gathers information to help determine proposed changes. Preparations may include reviewing member survey cards or requesting and reviewing information from the employer.
Negotiations:
Proposed changes are exchanged before reaching a tentative agreement. If the Union and the employer cannot come to an agreement, a neutral person (mediator) may be called to assist.
Ratification:
Once a tentative agreement is reached, members vote by secret ballot to accept or reject the proposed contract. If the tentative agreement is rejected, negotiations continue until a new agreement is reached.
Contract Finalization:
After ratification, final contract language is drafted and binded by the signatures of both parties. Clear contract language is crucial as it can determine the outcome of grievances and arbitration cases throughout the life of the contract. If new or unforeseen issues arise, revisions may be made but only with the agreement of both parties.
The Bargaining Committee
A bargaining committee is made up of rank-and-file members—your coworkers—from a variety of stores and departments. Your committee’s primary goal is to negotiate the best possible contract for all members. The bargaining committee represents the membership by researching issues, establishing bargaining priorities, attending all negotiation meetings, and keeping members informed throughout the process. Your 2027 Bargaining Committee will be announced at a later date.
2024 Kroger Bargaining Committee
Throughout the bargaining process, it is important to get your facts from the Union and trust and believe in the Union and the Union Bargaining Committee, who is made up of workers just like you. If you have any questions or concerns contact your Union Representative. Survey cards will be distributed to the membership in the coming days to get input from you and your coworkers on changes you would like to see. Please make sure to fill out the survey and turn them in to your Union Representative, or submit them online.
