Kroger, workers to resume talks later this week

6/17/2007

Contract talks between the Kroger Co. and Local 911, United Food and Commercial Workers, which represents 3,200 cashiers, stockers, and meat cutters at 28 stores across northwest Ohio, were recessed yesterday and will resume later this week with the aid of a federal mediator, according to a statement released by the union.

A strike or other economic action has been averted temporarily, the statement said. Key issues in the talks have been wages and health care.

The two sides began a bargaining session on Friday that lasted until 4 a.m. yesterday. Before breaking off, both agreed to continue extending on a day-to-day basis a contract that expired April 7. The statement said progress was being made with the help of the mediator.