Grocery employees unhappy with contract

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Angry employees at Smith's grocery stores aren't taking proposed wage and health benefit cuts lying down.

Hundreds of union workers got on their feet to protest in Albuquerque Sunday afternoon.

The sweltering heat didn’t stop protestors from gathering near Smith's corporate office on Tramway and Central Sunday.

Protestors lined the streets armed with signs saying "Human need over Smith's greed" and "Smith's offers cuts and crumbs."

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union members said they are upset over proposed cuts in wages and health benefits by Kroger, Smith's parent company.

A Kroger representative said the company is increasing wages for most workers through a combination of bonuses or hourly increases.

As for health care, Marsha Gilford said the majority of employees did not contribute money to pay for insurance and now are required to.

She said it amounts to $5-$15 per paycheck, depending on how many people are on the insurance plan.

Kroger calls it a good deal, but the protestors disagree.

"I think that's a disgrace to us and the employees who work for smith because they're showing us no respect and no dignity," Smith's employee Beatrice Aragon said.

Protesters said Kroger's sales are up. While that's true, the company representative said profits are down.

The union said no more negotiations are scheduled.

Last year, Smith's employees came very close to striking before the two sides agreed to a one-year contract.