At the urging of a federal mediator, representatives of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) in Cincinnati and the Kroger Co. have returned to the negotiating table, just a day after the UFCW recommended that its members authorize a strike against the company.
The union had revoked a contract extension that was agreed to last weekend, when the original contract expired. While the agreed-to extension was indefinite, it now will expire on Friday. A two-thirds majority is required for a strike authorization.
The union has referred to the latest offer as “gutting” existing health benefits because Kroger wants workers to start paying some of their health-insurance premiums.
The union had revoked a contract extension that was agreed to last weekend, when the original contract expired. While the agreed-to extension was indefinite, it now will expire on Friday. A two-thirds majority is required for a strike authorization.
The union has referred to the latest offer as “gutting” existing health benefits because Kroger wants workers to start paying some of their health-insurance premiums.
- KC's View:
- Cooler heads.
