Kroger workers in Norfolk, VA are demanding an explanation after the company announced plans to open a new store across the street from an existing one. The UFCW 400 members are worried that the company will force workers to give up seniority and pay if they transfer to the new store, or that they will lose their jobs entirely. Workers at the Norfolk Kroger circulated a petition earlier this month, and delivered it to management after “nearly every single employee” signed on. Last week, the workers took their campaign to the next level by holding a town hall to air their grievances and demand answers from Kroger. “We are Kroger,” said shop steward Cheryl Brown (far left). “We’re the reason management makes their bonuses. We’re the reason why customers shop here.” The workers’ concerns have precedent: two years ago 18-year Kroger veteran and union member Felecia Mayes was forced to transfer to a store three hours from her home because the new store Kroger opened nearby was non-union. Soon afterwards, she suffered a stroke on her commute. “This is only the beginning,” said UFCW 400 after the town hall. “As so many of our members said last night, we will not let Kroger break up our union family!”
photo courtesy UFCW 400
photo courtesy UFCW 400