(CINCINNATI/DAYTON, OHIO) – United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 75 Members Who are Employed by Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio’s Kroger Stores Have Voted to Ratify a New Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Union Has Announced.  

Union Officials say Through the Hard Work of the UFCW Members of the Cincinnati and Dayton Bargaining Committee - and by Sticking Together Through the Negotiations Process, UFCW Local 75 Was Able to Reach an Agreement That Guarantees Annual Wage Increases, Protects Quality/Affordable Health Care, Strengthens Contract Language and Preserves Full-Time Jobs.  The New Contract Also Merges the Formerly Separate Cincinnati and Dayton Contracts, UFCW Representatives Added.

Highlights of the New Contract Include:

The Creation of More Bargaining Power and Work Opportunities for Members by Merging the Cincinnati and Dayton Contracts Into One Agreement.  UFCW Members Now Have More Opportunity for Promotion and Transfer, and One Set of Work Rules for All Stores in the Area. The Merged Agreement Protects and Provides Full-Time Jobs Over the Life of the Agreement, in an Increasingly Part-Time Industry.

It Secures Affordable, Quality Health Care for the Membership, Who Now Have More Options for Health Care and May Take Advantage of Lower Weekly Contributions by Completing Biometric Screenings.  Spousal Coverage Was Also Maintained Through the Spouse’s Employer Provided/ACA Qualified Benefits.  Other Spouses Continue to Have Coverage Through the Union Contract.  Part-Time Members Also Retain Access to Health Care Benefits.

It Provides Wage Increases and Wage Parity Through Guaranteed Wage Increases Each Year Over the Term of the Agreement.  Those Increases Vary Depending On Classification.  Wage Parity Will Also be Achieved Between Cincinnati and Dayton by the End of the Agreement.  So-Called Bracket Progressions Were Also Reduced So UFCW Local 75 Members Can Receive Raises More Quickly.  They’ve Also Been Adjusted to Reflect an Increasing Minimum Wage.

Pension Benefits Were Also Guaranteed as the Local 75’s Members are Now Part of the UFCW Consolidated Pension Fund, Which Was Ratified in 2011.  Pension Benefits are Guaranteed for 10 Years - Until 2021.

You Can Directly Access This Labor News Story at: http://forlocals.ufcw.org/2014/08/01/ufcw-local-75-members-in-ohio-approve-new-kroger-contract/