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Kroger employees in Houston and Dallas have ratified an agreement forged Friday, heading off a possible strike, Kroger Co. said Monday. Members of the United Food & Commercial Workers Union Locals 408 and 455 in Houston and Local 540 in Dallas, voted on the contract Sunday, the company said in a release. It covers 13,000 employees at 202 stores in the two metro areas. Details of the agreement weren't released. "Both the company and the union put many hours and meetings into reach...

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Union workers at Kroger Co. stores in Houston and Dallas averted a strike by ratifying a three-year agreement with the grocery chain on a new contract that had been hung up on health care benefits.

The contract, ratified Sunday, provides wage increases, increased vacation and affordable health care, said Chad Young, a vice president with United Food and Commercial Workers International.

"Workers are pleased with the contract," Young said.

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Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. announced today that labor unions in Houston and Dallas ratified a new contract agreement with the grocery retailer on Sunday, just days after the unions had voted to authorize a strike.

The measure covers 13,000 Kroger associates at 202 stores in the Dallas and Houston and provides higher wages and a health care and pension benefit package that was the best in the Texas retail food industry, the company said.

This is a perfect example of how fair and balanced agreements can be reached when the Union and company leadership stay focused and committed to negotiating at the bargaining table, said Bill Breetz, president of Krogers Southwest Division, which includes Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana.

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This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Monday, June 25, 2007.

Valley Press Staff Writer

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CORPUS CHRISTI — In a battle of one win teams, the Corpus Christi Sharks defeated the Laredo Lobos 55-38 at the American Bank Center Saturday night. Sharing the worst record in the af2 National Conference (1-9), both the Lobos and the Sharks desperately needed a victory to avoid occupying the Southwest Division basement as the last remaining team with only one win this season. That position now belongs solely to Laredo.

Corpus Christi (2-9) earned its first home win of the season in front of 3,358 fans. An important divisional win, this game showcased an improving Sharks team that has stumbled through the af2 this season. However, Laredo (1-10) did not make it easy.

In a close first half, Corpus Christi quarterback John De Los Santos redeemed his fumble on the Sharks' second possession by running in for a 1-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. Laredo fired back with an 8-yard pass for six points from quarterback Jason Johnson to Corey Ready, who beat two Sharks' defenders on his way to the end zone.

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