Congratulations To Our Kroger Houston Meat Departments On Their Successful Ratification Of Their Improved Union Contract!!
UFCW Local 455 and the Kroger Company reached an agreement for all bargaining unit employees. Here are some of the benefit improvements included in the new contract:
- Effective on and after January 1st, 2025, employees will see a decrease in weekly health and welfare employee contributions for Plan One and Plan Two by 40%.
- Workers will receive an hourly pay increase and annual increases for the life of the contract.
- Secured increases to your short-term disability/sick pay to 60%.
- Eligible employees hired on or before December 31st, 2024, will be eligible for Plan One with averaged weekly hour requirements, (24hrs) for 2025, (25hrs) for 2026, (27hrs) for 2027 for employee only coverage.
- Eligible employees hired on or after January 1st, 2025, will be eligible for Plan Two with averaged weekly hour requirements, (24hrs) for 2025, (25hrs) for 2026, (27hrs) for 2027, for employee only coverage.
- Improved contract language for all meat employees with a guaranteed minimum of 20 hours per week.
- Workers will receive daily overtime after 8 hours.
- Shortened pay levels, allowing eligible employees to get to the top rate from 5 down to 4 levels.
- Lowered hour requirements to make it easier for employees to move up to the next pay step level (Level 2).
- Workers at pay step 4 and below will not lose pay due to hours requirements anymore.
- Language improved to eliminate the part time top rate, so now part time workers can migrate to the top rate if they work the required hours.
- A ratification bonus was paid out to Market Manager, Certified/Journeyman Meat Cutters, Seafood Lead, full time top rate meat/seafood clerks and part time top rate meat/seafood clerks.
The expiration of this agreement is on February 27, 2027.
Thanks to all of our hard-working members who supported the Union and their efforts in helping to secure this contract!
