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UNI Commerce UFCW supermarket strike page
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UFCW
agreement in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia: Kroger workers saved their health insurance UFCW and Kroger have reached an agreement, which allows 3,300 workers in 44 stores to return to their jobs. Through their two months of struggle, they have saved their right to affordable health insurance. In the agreement, Kroger agreed to a 10.5 per cent increase of its annual contribution to medical coverage. This is substantially more than their original offer. Jim Lowthers, president of UFCW Local 400, says that workers gave priority to health care coverage and accepted lower wage rises as a trade-off. "The strike was worth it," Lowthers said according to Los Angeles Times (12 December). "The health care issue carried the day." In Southern California, where some 70,000 UFCW members are on strike or locked out, the conflict continues. Safeway, Kroger (Ralph's) and Albertsons are registering huge losses while competitors such as Costco see their sales soaring. But the supermarket workers hold the line for their right to health care, although Christmas holidays are approaching fast. |
