Essential Voice
an Essential Workers for Democracy newspaper to share with your coworkers!
Issue #7 - Summer 2026
Labor Notes: ‘8,000 Indiana Kroger Workers Vote Down Contract a Second Time’
Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 700 members across Indiana voted on July 10 and 11 to reject a tentative agreement covering 8,000 Kroger retail workers. This is the second contract Kroger workers have rejected, after 74 percent voted down the first offer in May.
8000 Indiana Kroger Grocery Workers Reject Contract for the Second Time
Members of UFCW Local 700 voted down a second tentative agreement with Kroger, citing subpar wage increases that threaten workers with poverty.
Over 60,000 Grocery Workers Reach Tentative Agreement in Colorado and Southern California
Over 60,000 grocery store workers have reached tentative agreements with Kroger and Albertsons this week, after months of organizing.
WATCH: Legal Rights of Union Stewards
Did you know that you have special legal rights as a union steward? Learn the basics in this training specifically for UFCW stewards. Click here to register for the Legal Rights of Union Stewards, a free online webinar for UFCW members on Wednesday, July 23 at 4 PM PT/5 PM MT/6 PM CT/7 PM ET.
25,000 Washington Grocery Workers Reach Tentative Agreement
Over 25,000 grocery store workers in Washington state reached a tentative agreement between UFCW Local 3000 and Safeway (Albertsons), Fred Meyer (Kroger), QFC (Kroger), Town & Country Markets, Metropolitan Market and other independent grocery stores. The tentative agreement was announced Sunday, June 15th after months of negotiations.
Safeway Workers Strike in Colorado
Safeway workers at select locations in Colorado walked out on Sunday, June 15, in an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike against the Albertsons-owned employer.
Strike Ready Toolkit: Organizing Tools for Winning the Contract We Deserve
Check out the Strike Ready Toolkit, including information on Strikes and Your Rights on the Picket Line.
Labor Notes: ‘Kroger Workers Vote Down Contract in Indiana by 74 Percent’
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 700 members in Indiana voted down a tentative agreement May 31 covering 8,000 Kroger retail workers, with 74 percent voting no. Rank-and-file members bucked the recommendation for a ‘Yes’ vote by local union leadership and the bargaining committee.
WATCH: Strike Ready! National Webinar & Organizing Training
Watch the recording of our national Strike Ready Webinar, featuring organizing stories from rank and file members in UFCW Locals 7, 700, 770, and 3000.