Kroger stores to stay open

By MICHAEL SCHULER, For The Weirton Daily Times
Local Kroger stores remain open after employees from a dozen stores in the Ohio Valley voted down a tentative contract on Sunday.

Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 23 also approved a strike authorization, but won’t be hitting the picket line just yet. The 12 stores employ about 940 people and are located in Bellaire, Martins Ferry, St. Clairsville, Wintersville, Steubenville, Wheeling, Benwood, Wellsburg, Warwood, Moundsville and two in Weirton.

According Local Union 23 Public Relations Director Kevin Kilroy, the union members and the store’s management will continue the negotiation process and no strike date has been issued.

“Right now we are trying to get back to the table with the company and address those issues that are still open,” Kilroy said.

Kilroy also said the union did not want to discuss specific issues of the membership at this time.

“We have some open issues and I’m not at the negotiating table myself and don’t know every single issue,”Ó he said. “We are going to try to get back to the table ASAP and address those things. It’s a matter right now of trying to pull the parties together.”

In the meantime, Kroger store officials are saying the 12 stores will continue to operate as normal and that the previous contract has been extended.

“The negotiating committee is working on a date to come back with the union,Ó said Kroger Spokesperson Johnna Reeder. “We feel confident we will be able to reach an agreement. The company and the union negotiators worked diligently together over several weeks, but unfortunately the agreement wasn’t ratified.Ó

According to Reeder, fewer than 50 percent of the union members voted on the contract.

“We are confident we will be able to come to an agreement and continue to operate business as usual,” she said.”