UFCW Files Arbitration to Compel Kroger to Uphold Agreement

UFCW Local 400 has filed for arbitration against Kroger to compel the company to uphold an existing agreement regarding newly built or acquired stores in the Richmond and Tidewater areas, and to recognize the union at a specific Virginia Beach store. The union alleges Kroger has violated the agreement and has refused to engage in good faith discussions.

In a letter dated November 5, 2026, addressed to Kate Mora, President of Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division, UFCW Local 400 President Michael Wilson stated that Kroger has continued an anti-union campaign and failed to meet on a grievance filed in August. This grievance sought to enforce a previous agreement requiring newly built or acquired stores in the Richmond and Tidewater contract area to come under the existing collective bargaining agreement. The union is also pursuing arbitration after Kroger refused to meet on a separate grievance regarding store 540 in Virginia Beach, where the company is accused of refusing to recognize employees’ choice to join UFCW Local 400 despite multiple signed cards.

Union Demands Arbitration on Two Grievances

The union’s letter outlines two separate grievances that have led to the arbitration filing. The first concerns newly built or acquired stores in the Richmond and Tidewater areas, which the union asserts should automatically fall under the existing collective bargaining agreement. The second targets store 540 in Virginia Beach, where Kroger is accused of refusing to recognize the union as the bargaining unit for employees, a violation of what the union claims are existing agreements.

Union Files Grievance Against Kroger

According to the union’s letter, Kroger has refused to meet to discuss these grievances. Your continued disrespect for your associates, our members, has not deterred us. Since you refuse to engage in good faith integration discussions, we filed a grievance in August to enforce our previous agreement… You refused to even meet with us on our grievance, so we are now taking it to arbitration, Wilson wrote. The union maintains that its actions are a response to Kroger’s refusal to honor commitments and respect employees’ choice to unionize.

What Happens Next is Unclear

While UFCW Local 400 has stated it remains open to further integration discussions or talks to settle the grievances, no such talks are currently scheduled. Kroger has not publicly responded to the union’s letter or the arbitration filing. The outcome of the arbitration process and whether a resolution can be reached through future negotiations remains unknown.

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