INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Kroger workers and Indianapolis City-County councilors gathered outside the 10th Street Kroger Sunday, calling for the company to offer a better contract.

The union representing 8,000 workers has been negotiating with Kroger for several months.

Workers say they have food pantries in their breakrooms because they’re not being paid a living wage.
Some say they’re “Insulted” by Kroger’s most recent offer of a 90-cent increase over three years for starting pay.

Andrea Reynolds, 27, is a Kroger employee. She says all they are asking for is “what’s fair.”

“Our goal is to bring transparency back to our union. Help the workers have better working conditions. That’s what we want. We’re not asking for the sky, we’re just asking for what’s fair.”

Kroger issued a statement following Sunday’s rally, detailing the new tentative agreement for employees.

“(The agreement) would increase top-rate clerks’ wages by 15.6% over three years, with an immediate 5.7% raise, more than double the current inflation rate.”

The company also added that Indianapolis associates have already seen a 20% wage increase since 2021.

The union and Kroger will meet again on Wednesday.

Full statement from Kroger

We respect the right of our associates to express their concerns through this rally, and we remain committed to finding a path forward. We are disappointed the contract failed to be ratified, especially given that it was fully endorsed by the associate-led bargaining committee and the UFCW Local 700. The Company and Union bargaining committees are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, August 6.

The tentative agreement would increase top-rate clerks’ wages by 15.6% over three years, with an immediate 5.7% raise, more than double the current inflation rate. Since 2021, Indianapolis associates have already seen a 20% wage increase. It also includes industry leading, affordable healthcare benefits plus a fully funded pension for retirement.

We believe this agreement represents a strong commitment to our associates’ financial well-being while keeping groceries affordable for the communities we serve.

Kroger

About The Author

See author's posts