Kentucky Kroger Workers OK Contract

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kroger Co. said Friday that workers at its Mid-South Division, based here, have ratified a new labor agreement with United Food & Commercial Workers Local 227.

"We are pleased to reach an agreement that will provide our associates with wage increases, high-quality, affordable health care and a company-funded pension at retirement," said John Hackett, president of the Kroger division.

Terms of the new contract were not immediately available. UFCW Local 227 had previously said it was seeking wage increases for members as opposed to lump-sum payments.

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The agreement covers more than 12,000 workers working in 81 stores in Louisville, Lexington and throughout most of Kentucky and six stores in Southern Indiana. Kroger's Mid-South Division includes 162 stores in Kentucky, Tennessee, southern Indiana and southern Illinois.