Kroger contract talks to resume today

6/15/2007

Contract negotiations between Kroger Co. and its Toledo area union employees are

scheduled to resume today, one day before a contract extension ends and a strike is possible.

The talks between the company and United Food & Commercial Workers Local 911 broke off last week in a dispute over wages and health care benefits.

The union represents 3,200 cashiers, stockers, and meat cutters who work at 27 stores.

The union has not said it will strike, but said economic actions could be taken after 11:59 p.m. tomorrow. Jeff Stephens, Local 911 president, couldn t be reached for comment.

Kroger spokesman Dale Hollandsworth said the company is willing to bargain and hopes to achieve a fair agreement.