Following votes taken over three days at stores throughout the region, UFCW Local 400 members working at Kroger stores under the Roanoke contract overwhelmingly ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. The new two-year agreement provides competitive pay raises above minimum wage and reduces steps on the pay scales. The agreement also protects existing healthcare and retirement benefits. “While we did not get everything we want, we were proud of the achievements we made in this contract,” said Kristy Lee Vance, a 22-year Kroger employee from Fries, Va. and member of the union Bargaining Advisory Committee, which helped to lead negotiations. “Many of my coworkers will be seeing significant pay increases over the life of the contract, putting us in an even better bargaining position in two years when this agreement is up for renewal.” The contract also reflects significant increases to the minimum wage championed by Local 400 in Virginia. Read more here