Members of UFCW Local 700 in Indiana overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract agreement covering 8,000 Kroger retail workers, with 74% voting against it. The agreement included limited wage increases and provisions that disadvantaged part-time workers concerning seniority. Many workers felt the proposal was inadequate, especially given the difficulties faced during the COVID pandemic, leading to concerns about job security and fair compensation. Quotes from workers highlighted the sentiment that their wages were not keeping pace with inflation, and there was disappointment over the local union leadership's recommendation to accept the contract.
"With inflation, our wages are backsliding," said Amy Reynolds, a 24-year Kroger worker in Fishers, near Indianapolis. "You wonder if you can make it on a job like this. When my mom worked at Kroger in 1970, her wages were comparable to the UAW Chrysler plant. Today, we're nowhere close."
"If the contract had passed, 'my part-time co-workers would probably have to start looking for new jobs,' said Tari Blevins, a front-end cashier in Indianapolis."
"During COVID, we had million dollar [sales] weeks," Blevins said. "We had customers fighting in the aisles over product."
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