Food 4 Less Associates Ratify New Labor Agreement

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/CLF05912102007-1.htm

October 12, 2007: 03:30 PM EST

CINCINNATI, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Kroger Co. said today it has been informed that associates of its Food 4 Less division who are members of UFCW Locals in Southern California have ratified a new contract with the Company.

The four-year contract, effective immediately, covers more than 5,700 employees represented by UFCW Local 135, Local 324, Local 770, Local 1036, Local 1167, Local 1428 and Local 1442.

The Company said the agreement was reached because of the hard work of both the unions and the Company. The agreement provides wage increases and affordable, quality healthcare benefits for Food 4 Less associates and their families and will help the division to be more competitive in the marketplace.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. In 2006, the Company donated $150 million to help hunger relief efforts across the country, raise awareness of breast cancer, and support local schools and organizations in the communities it serves. At the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,491 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger and Kroger Marketplace, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's and Smith's Marketplace, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillons and Dillons Marketplace, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 780 convenience stores, 406 fine jewelry stores, 664 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.