Update: December 18, 2021 — Last night, Kroger reached a tentative agreement with it’s labor union. The strike set for this coming week has ended.
Beginning today, the grocery workers at Fred Meyer stores will be striking. Meaning, if you want to pick up something at the Kroger-owned retailer, you’ll have to cross a picket line.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 555 represents over 29,000 of the roughly half a million Kroger employees. They are currently embroiled in contract negotiations over allegedly unfair labor practices. They voted to strike earlier this month with contract negotiations going on through Dec. 16.
The strike is set to go on through Christmas Eve.
Kroger Grocery Chains Taking Extreme Track on Vaccination
Amidst the ongoing battle to get everyone vaccinated, the Kroger Company is requiring its chains to make some changes to COVID-related leave. Both Fred Meyer and Quality Food Centers are ending some benefits for unvaccinated workers infected with COVID-19. This lines up with their parent company, Kroger Co.’s new policies, and is contributing to the workers at Fred Meyer and QFC striking.
Should federal vaccine mandates remain iffy at best for the near future, we can expect this approach to be more common in many companies as well. A Fred Meyer spokesperson told OPB that they’ve got a specific reward vs. punishment approach.
Should employees choose to fully vaccinate, they can expect $100 added to their checks. If they choose not to vaccinate, the two weeks of paid time off following a positive COVID test is out the window.
While Fred Meyer employees can still use their regular PTO or apply for unpaid leave, there will not be an option to be paid to quarantine. This doesn’t apply to employees with documented medical or religious exemptions.
Employees that are unvaccinated can also expect to be paying more for their health care in the near future. Starting Jan. 1, 2022, Fred Meyer and QFC will implement a $50 monthly charge for unvaccinated managers and non-union employees. This will not apply to employees under the protection of a collective bargaining agreement.
By Ethan Hauck
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