WEBVTT

NOTE duration:"00:01:18.4010000"

NOTE recognizability:0.870

NOTE language:en-us

NOTE Confidence: 0.86973715

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While Fred Meyer and QFC Union

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workers have authorized a strike.

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But Kroger says, at least

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for now, it's gonna be business as usual.

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Yeah, Devon Haskins has more on this

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story for us. He's live in our newsroom,

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Devin, let's talk about this

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decision by those workers.

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Yeah, Drew Union members of the

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United Food and Commercial Workers

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Local 555 voted to strike for for

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alleged unfair labor practices.

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They say wages are not keeping up

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with the cost of living the Union,

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which represents 29,000 workers in

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Oregon and Southwest Washington.

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Has been negotiating a new

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contract since July.

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UFCW president says parent company

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Kroger is not negotiating in good faith.

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A Fred Meyer spokesperson

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said in a statement.

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Their current offer quote shows

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our commitment to the whole

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person providing wage increases,

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high quality,

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affordable health care and a

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pension benefit for retirement.

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End Quote.

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The grocery chain says the goal is

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to reach an agreement that provides

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solid compensation and benefits

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while keeping groceries affordable.

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Both Fred Meyer and QFC are owned by Kroger.

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And according to the USA TODAY,

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the Ohio based company posted a

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$2.6 billion profit last year.

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That's a 5.6% increase from 2019.

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Now,

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a strike authorization does not

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mean the workers are on strike,

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but it gives the unions bargaining

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team the authority to call

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a strike if it's justified.