Kroger and roughly 1,400 associates working at four distribution centers, two manufacturing facilities ratify new three-year labor agreement with Teamsters

Cindy Allen

CINCINNATI , February 14, 2012 (PRNewswire) – The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) associates working at four distribution centers and two dairy manufacturing facilities have ratified new labor agreements with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

The new contract includes a Master Agreement that outlines health care and pension benefits and Local Supplemental agreements that cover wages, for three years. About 1,400 employees are covered by the new contract. Facilities included in the agreement are located in Hutchinson and Goddard, KS; Houston, TX; Memphis, TN; Indianapolis, IN; and Livonia, MI.

Voting on the new contract occurred at each location over several weeks, with final approval received on Saturday, February 11.

"We are pleased to reach an agreement that provides our associates one of the best total compensation packages in our industry," said Kevin Dougherty, Group Vice President of Logistics.

The new agreement includes wage increases, high-quality affordable health care and a company-funded pension at retirement.

"I want to thank our associates for their patience during the process and ongoing service to our company," said Calvin Kaufman, Group Vice President of Manufacturing.

Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 338,000 associates who serve customers in 2,439 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 796 convenience stores, 363 fine jewelry stores, 1,067 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S. Kroger was recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in the U.S. The company focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations in the communities it serves. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 125 million meals a year through its partnership with more than 80 Feeding America food banks. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.

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