Kroger CEO Dillon still expects union accord in Colorado after latest contract rejection

Kroger CEO expects Colorado labor pact, eventually

CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co.’s chief executive says he remains confident of working out a settlement with grocery workers in Colorado.

Colorado union officials say employees at the Cincinnati-based company’s King Soopers and City Market chains overwhelmingly rejected the company’s latest contract offer in voting that ended Tuesday.

They say proposals to cut benefits and newer workers’ pay haven’t changed enough.

Kroger CEO David B. Dillon Wednesday that the situation is uncertain but that he isn’t reading too much into the vote and believes the two sides will resolve a new contract.

Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery seller aside from Wal-Mart Stores Inc., has reached agreements this year with union locals in several other areas.