Print Page Close Window News Release Fred Meyer and QFC Associates Ratify Agreement With UFCW Locals 21, 81 and 367 and Teamsters Local 38 in Seattle Area SEATTLE, Dec. 8, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Fred Meyer and QFC stores, both divisions of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), said today they have been informed that associates have ratified a new labor agreement with United Food & Commercial Workers Union Locals 21, 81 and 367 and Teamsters Local 38 in Seattle. More than 7,800 Fred Meyer and 4,800 QFC associates are covered by the contracts, which include cashiers, as well as meat, grocery and general merchandise associates. The contracts cover associates in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Mason, Thurston and Kitsap counties. Fred Meyer and QFC negotiated the contracts as part of a multi-employer group which also included representatives of Safeway and Albertsons. "We are pleased that we could reach a fair agreement for our associates that includes pay increases, excellent health care benefits and a stable pension," said Mike Ellis, President of Fred Meyer. "This is a good contract that keeps us competitive in the marketplace and rewards our associates for their superior service to customers in our stores," added Donna Giordano, President of QFC. Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 334,000 associates who serve customers in 2,461 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The Company also operates 784 convenience stores, 375 fine jewelry stores, 954 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S. Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com SOURCE The Kroger Co. .