Dear UFCW Local 455 Kroger Members,
Access and affordability of your healthcare should get better over time spent working for the Company, not worse. Your Local Union has made it its goal to secure affordable and accessible health insurance for all bargaining unit workers. The timeline below shows the history of what your Union has bargained for and been able to offer to you over the years in contrast to the cascading effects of the forced Company changes Kroger has insisted on implementing. Comparing these changes shows the value of collective bargaining and the effect of unilateral Company decisions on your healthcare coverage.
2017 – 2020
Negotiated Coverage – South Central Fund
Cents per hour funding mechanism – opportunity for Fund surplus for the participants that could be used to improve benefits
$25 Copay
$350/$700 Deductible†
$4,000/$8,000 Max Out-of-Pocket† in-network
Fair oversight over your healthcare
Pathway to Plan 1 benefits
Low eligibility requirements (20 hours or less)
2021 – 2023
Non-Negotiated Implementation of Company ‘K’-Plan
Pass through arrangement – Company cut off contributions to your Healthcare Fund – no opportunity for surplus
$35 Copay – Increase of $10 for each doctor’s visit/medical service
Increased Deductible† – Plan A deductibles rose by $100/$200 every year
Max Out-of-Pocket† limits spiked up to $8,150/$16,300 in-network; aggressive out-of-network limits were as high as $32,600 Family
Loss of oversight/Kroger-controlled
Future healthcare cost controlled by Kroger
Future employees not included in Plan 1 (better plan)
Increased eligibility requirements (up to 27 hours)
2024 – 2026
Union Secured Improvements – Atlanta Fund
Pass through arrangement – capped guardrails – no opportunity for surplus
Copay stabilized at $35
Lowered and stabilized deductibles† to $650/$1,300 (Plan 1) and capped at $1,800 for Plan 2 families in 2026
Max Out-of-Pocket† stabilized at $7,000/$14,000 (in-network) saving families thousands compared to the K-Plan peaks
Imbalance on the Board of Trustees and control structure implemented by Kroger (Fund needs reform)
Redating of health & welfare plans – all participants moved to Plan 1 upon ratification
No pathway for future participants to move into Plan 1
Eligibility requirements improved for the first two years of the CBA (24 and 25 hours), but increased to 27 hours in Year 3
†Dollar amounts are shown as Individual/Family.
What Our Members are Experiencing and Have to Say:
“I needed surgery and with the insurance, they wanted $7,000 up front. I had to decline surgery [and] return to work due to the high cost.””
Courtney B. • Store K359
“I have an $18,000 out-of-pocket expense. I was out of work, living on FMLA…. I can’t afford to pay for my [doctor’s] visits. I believe my insurance should have more coverage.”
Diane P. • Store K394
“Out-of-pocket is too expensive. I’ve been avoiding going to the doctor because of the high cost….My blood pressure and diabetes should be important.”
Saima A. • Store K010
We Want to Hear From You
How have the changes to your healthcare benefits over the years affected you and your family?
Tell us about changes you have experienced in costs, coverage, eligibility, deductibles, prescriptions, or access to care.
Submit Your StorySubmit Your Story
