Kroger, Union Still at Loggerheads Over Warehouse Transfer
CINCINNATI -- The union representing about 800 workers at a warehouse in Louisville, Ken., owned by the Kroger Co. based here has rejected the latest offer from the grocer to transfer the facility to two private companies.
Teamsters Local 89, which represents the warehouse's 800 workers, has rejected the latest offer from the company on the transfer, according to local reports. The union has threatened to strike if Kroger turns over the operation to Zenith Logistics, part of Walton-based Verst Group Logistics, and Transervice Logistics Inc., based in Lake Success, N.Y., reports the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Kroger had put off its November date to transfer the operation to allow for more negotiations. The union, according to the story, rejected its latest offer, a guarantee that there would be no work-force reduction and an offer of arbitration if retiree health-care obligations weren't met.
A Kroger manager was quoted in the story as saying plans are proceeding to have Transervice take over the warehouse's transportation operations, with Zenith to take over the rest of the operation at an unspecified time.
Kroger operates more than 2,500 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states.
Teamsters Local 89, which represents the warehouse's 800 workers, has rejected the latest offer from the company on the transfer, according to local reports. The union has threatened to strike if Kroger turns over the operation to Zenith Logistics, part of Walton-based Verst Group Logistics, and Transervice Logistics Inc., based in Lake Success, N.Y., reports the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Kroger had put off its November date to transfer the operation to allow for more negotiations. The union, according to the story, rejected its latest offer, a guarantee that there would be no work-force reduction and an offer of arbitration if retiree health-care obligations weren't met.
A Kroger manager was quoted in the story as saying plans are proceeding to have Transervice take over the warehouse's transportation operations, with Zenith to take over the rest of the operation at an unspecified time.
Kroger operates more than 2,500 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states.