Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are contract negotiations?
A. A formal process where the Employer (Smith’s) and the employees (Smiths Union members) propose changes they want in the next contract.
Q. How does the Union know what to propose or seek?
A. Your Union started preparing for this moment three years ago, and we recently surveyed the members to know what is important and how important it is. In addition, we know what is going on in the grocery industry across the country as the UFCW represents workers in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
Q. What if Smith’s/ Kroger doesn’t want to negotiate?
A. While it is true, Kroger would rather not negotiate with its workers, federal law requires that they make a good faith effort to negotiate and work towards reaching a new agreement with the workers represented by a Union.
Q. Why would Smith’s want to reach a new agreement?
A. Smith’s / Kroger needs to sell products and they want hard working happy employees serving their customers. They also care about their image as customers make a choice where they shop. A peaceful settlement assures Smith’s Kroger of labor peace and the prosperity that brings.
Q. How does the process work and how long does it take?
A. Your Union made up of Smith’s workers (Union Negotiating Committee), meet with Kroger executives (Company Negotiating Committee) over a series of meetings. Both sides present the other side with the changes they want to make, usually these proposed changes are provided in writing, but sometimes they are vocalized before being put into writing. Both sides will listen and respond with a counter proposal. The Company is assured of labor peace until the current contract expires. Sometimes the process goes faster than other times, but according to Federal law the bargaining process is not defined by a time, but rather by information provided, steps, and processes taking place during bargaining. If either side violates federal labor laws the process can go another direction.
Q. Do Meat and Retail clerks each bargain separately?
A. Yes, the Meat cutters, meat wrappers and seafood clerks are each covered under a separate agreement, so they will meet, vote, and act independently of the retail clerks. The retail and the meat are independent of each other during negotiations.
Q. Is my store management a good source for information during negotiations?
A. No, your store director and his assistants are Kroger’s first line of offense and defense. Also, most importantly, Store Management does not attend negotiations in person, but their position requires them to carry out Kroger directives, which will most likely not be the workers goals. We know from past negotiations that store management monitors and reports the workers feelings and thoughts to District Management, which enables Kroger to push or back off on specific proposals. Make sure your Manager knows you demand and expect BETTER!
Q. What is the best source to get information about Negotiations?
A. We have set up a number of ways for you to be informed about what is taking place or where things stand. One of the best sources for information is your Union Rep that comes into your store, because they will be attending each bargaining session. You should also talk with a shop steward or co-worker who is on the negotiating committee for actual first hand knowledge. This web site www.2022negotiations.com, text messages, emails, mailings, and posted notices on the Union bulletin board are other ways. Please make sure you have signed up for text messages. Make sure your co-workers are also signed up for text message updates.
Q. Why does the Union propose improvements and $$ (Dollars) and Kroger propose ¢¢ (cents) and reductions?
A. While both sides rely on sales and customers we differ on how profits are distributed. The Union wants the employees (essential workers) who make those profits to earn more, and the Company wants their CEO, executives, and shareholders profits multiplying.
Q. Will Smith’s Kroger treat us well?
A. You can probably answer this right now. Do you feel Kroger/Smith’s respects you and your pay for the work and services you provide? After 2020, Kroger’s best year with the COVID-19 pandemic, New Mexico workers are not seeing rewards the way they would like to see them. In some areas Kroger has attacked the employee’s Health Care and moved them into a Company Health Plan where cost savings will benefit Kroger’s profits.
Q. Why would moving into the Company K-Plan be a bad for New Mexico workers?
A. While the New Mexico Health Fund has seen some changes in years past, the current fund is in excellent financial condition and not in need of increasing costs to Kroger in the future. Any proposed change from Smith’s / Kroger would be nothing more than Corporate Greed to improve profits to the shareholders, and executives working for Kroger. Forcing New Mexico workers into a Company plan would allow Kroger the ability to have full unaccountable changes, which means they could increase healthcare costs to the workers anytime Kroger wants, whether that is in one year, two, five, or ten years.
Q. How does a strike work and will we strike?
A. A strike or work stoppage can take place over illegal unfair labor practice or purely for economic reasons because one side demands improvements or demands cuts. Smith's Union members are the ones that vote to accept, reject, or authorize a strike. A strike vote requires two-thirds of the members voting to authorize a strike. Smiths employees don’t want a strike, but rather to reach a beneficial and productive contract that rewards them and their families with the pay and benefits they earn and deserve. The best way to avoid a strike is to be prepared to strike if necessary, as the Company will be monitoring the employee’s feelings and thoughts. Are you ready to demand the improvements you earn and deserve for the essential work you provide?
A. A formal process where the Employer (Smith’s) and the employees (Smiths Union members) propose changes they want in the next contract.
Q. How does the Union know what to propose or seek?
A. Your Union started preparing for this moment three years ago, and we recently surveyed the members to know what is important and how important it is. In addition, we know what is going on in the grocery industry across the country as the UFCW represents workers in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
Q. What if Smith’s/ Kroger doesn’t want to negotiate?
A. While it is true, Kroger would rather not negotiate with its workers, federal law requires that they make a good faith effort to negotiate and work towards reaching a new agreement with the workers represented by a Union.
Q. Why would Smith’s want to reach a new agreement?
A. Smith’s / Kroger needs to sell products and they want hard working happy employees serving their customers. They also care about their image as customers make a choice where they shop. A peaceful settlement assures Smith’s Kroger of labor peace and the prosperity that brings.
Q. How does the process work and how long does it take?
A. Your Union made up of Smith’s workers (Union Negotiating Committee), meet with Kroger executives (Company Negotiating Committee) over a series of meetings. Both sides present the other side with the changes they want to make, usually these proposed changes are provided in writing, but sometimes they are vocalized before being put into writing. Both sides will listen and respond with a counter proposal. The Company is assured of labor peace until the current contract expires. Sometimes the process goes faster than other times, but according to Federal law the bargaining process is not defined by a time, but rather by information provided, steps, and processes taking place during bargaining. If either side violates federal labor laws the process can go another direction.
Q. Do Meat and Retail clerks each bargain separately?
A. Yes, the Meat cutters, meat wrappers and seafood clerks are each covered under a separate agreement, so they will meet, vote, and act independently of the retail clerks. The retail and the meat are independent of each other during negotiations.
Q. Is my store management a good source for information during negotiations?
A. No, your store director and his assistants are Kroger’s first line of offense and defense. Also, most importantly, Store Management does not attend negotiations in person, but their position requires them to carry out Kroger directives, which will most likely not be the workers goals. We know from past negotiations that store management monitors and reports the workers feelings and thoughts to District Management, which enables Kroger to push or back off on specific proposals. Make sure your Manager knows you demand and expect BETTER!
Q. What is the best source to get information about Negotiations?
A. We have set up a number of ways for you to be informed about what is taking place or where things stand. One of the best sources for information is your Union Rep that comes into your store, because they will be attending each bargaining session. You should also talk with a shop steward or co-worker who is on the negotiating committee for actual first hand knowledge. This web site www.2022negotiations.com, text messages, emails, mailings, and posted notices on the Union bulletin board are other ways. Please make sure you have signed up for text messages. Make sure your co-workers are also signed up for text message updates.
Q. Why does the Union propose improvements and $$ (Dollars) and Kroger propose ¢¢ (cents) and reductions?
A. While both sides rely on sales and customers we differ on how profits are distributed. The Union wants the employees (essential workers) who make those profits to earn more, and the Company wants their CEO, executives, and shareholders profits multiplying.
Q. Will Smith’s Kroger treat us well?
A. You can probably answer this right now. Do you feel Kroger/Smith’s respects you and your pay for the work and services you provide? After 2020, Kroger’s best year with the COVID-19 pandemic, New Mexico workers are not seeing rewards the way they would like to see them. In some areas Kroger has attacked the employee’s Health Care and moved them into a Company Health Plan where cost savings will benefit Kroger’s profits.
Q. Why would moving into the Company K-Plan be a bad for New Mexico workers?
A. While the New Mexico Health Fund has seen some changes in years past, the current fund is in excellent financial condition and not in need of increasing costs to Kroger in the future. Any proposed change from Smith’s / Kroger would be nothing more than Corporate Greed to improve profits to the shareholders, and executives working for Kroger. Forcing New Mexico workers into a Company plan would allow Kroger the ability to have full unaccountable changes, which means they could increase healthcare costs to the workers anytime Kroger wants, whether that is in one year, two, five, or ten years.
Q. How does a strike work and will we strike?
A. A strike or work stoppage can take place over illegal unfair labor practice or purely for economic reasons because one side demands improvements or demands cuts. Smith's Union members are the ones that vote to accept, reject, or authorize a strike. A strike vote requires two-thirds of the members voting to authorize a strike. Smiths employees don’t want a strike, but rather to reach a beneficial and productive contract that rewards them and their families with the pay and benefits they earn and deserve. The best way to avoid a strike is to be prepared to strike if necessary, as the Company will be monitoring the employee’s feelings and thoughts. Are you ready to demand the improvements you earn and deserve for the essential work you provide?