Dear UFCW Local 455 Kroger Members,
UFCW Local 455 members arrived expecting another normal day on the job, only to learn that their workplace would soon be gone. The permanent closure of multiple Kroger locations have displaced employees and sparked major concerns about what lies ahead for them. The impact is already being felt across our membership.
Kroger department closures and outsourcing your Union jobs has been happening for years. NGS working in your floral shops, meat case and cheese shop closures, Starbucks and apparel departments being systematically removed, resulting in a significant hours reduction in the stores. While some workers were transferred to other departments to secure additional hours, many are struggling to maintain the minimum hours required to keep their wages and healthcare benefits.
The Cost of Kroger’s Forced Changes
“In the last six years, our deli department labor force has shrunk drastically. We went from a crew of 5 people […] down to a two-person crew. That’s 120 labor hours missing from our department weekly.”
Valerie S. • Store K145
“I work at the Butcher Shop. I had my window closed for 2 years and had my hours removed… [W]hen Kroger decided to re-open… hours tied to the window… were not returned.”
Steven H. • Store K179
“I have worked in Starbucks at Store 117 for 5 years… my business hours have reduced 2 hours a day for closing hours, leading to a reduction of 14 hours a week. This ultimately will lead to about 728 hours lost per year.”
Christian W. • Store K117
We Want to Hear From You
Have store or department closures affected you?
Tell us how store/department closures and lost bargaining unit work have changed your job, your hours, and your future at Kroger.
Submit Your StorySubmit Your Story
