I just got back from voting. I can honestly say that the people I rode with who had been with the company a lot longer than I have said this is the most that Kroger has given in any negotiation.
New hires are going to have it tougher. Management has the option of extending probation to 90 days instead of 45 currently, and have a new insurance plan that is better off drawing government assistance. ($1,000 deductible). Of course, you aren't going to vote for someone who hasn't joined yet.
Pay for part timers is getting an increase, $.25 raise for full time/department heads each year. Insurance is going up, but not as much as people feared. Dairy/Frozen backups are actually being classified as such, and new tiers are being added for Sunday/Holiday pay from 1988-1990. Jobs will be posted throughout the bargaining unit instead of the zone, meaning more job bids will be posted for people who are willing to relocate or drive to those places.
In a nutshell, decent raise, small healthcare increase. It should be voted through.
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