In June, Kroger workers in the Mid-South presented a request for plans to prepare for dangerous emergency situations, like shootings, by developing company training programs and creating policies that would ensure workers had paid leave, benefits and mental health resources if an emergency did occur.
Union leaders say the proposal has gone unacknowledged.
Three months later, there was a deadly shooting at one of their grocery stores.
Fifteen people were shot, one fatally, at a Kroger in Collierville by a recently released contract worker who died on the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials have said. People at the grocery store on the early Thursday afternoon rushed to hide in freezers and hunker down in locked offices. One worker was rescued from the roof.
Authorities have said 10 of the victims were workers, and five were customers.
At least seven union-eligible workers are part of that number, said Lonnie Sheppard, the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 1529. About 75% of the eligible workers in the store are members, he said. The union also knows of one manager-level employee who was injured.
"They've got to do something to protect our workers when they go to work," Sheppard said by phone near his home in Cordova, speaking both about the company and elected officials.
Immediately following the shooting, Sheppard talked with other union leaders who've had similar experiences. This event marks the second mass shooting in a year at one of Kroger's stores. In late March, a person opened fire at King Sooper's store in Boulder, Colorado, killing 10 people. King Soopers is part of the Kroger company.
"It could happen anywhere," Sheppard said, "but it's never happened here."
Sheppard has been president of the Mid-South-based union for 26 years, and a member for 43. His local chapter represents western Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, all of Mississippi and parts of Missouri and Kentucky. He's never had to deal with a shooting like this before. Other leaders gave him suggestions of "quick and efficient" ways to help members, like creating a counseling fund.
The day after the shooting, Sheppard wrote to Kroger about the proposal, asking for something in writing to tell members about what assistance the company would offer. He pointed to the lack of response to the proposal and demanded it be implemented.
"As you can see now, this is a very serious issue and must be addressed," Sheppard wrote.
Kroger responded with a statement, in full later in the story, to inquiries from The Commercial Appeal regarding the emergency plan.
"The well-being of our associates and customers is a top priority, every day," the statement reads in part. "We continually invest in safety measures and training."
Union requested training to notice, respond to dangerous emergencies
In the emergency situation proposal to Kroger, the union requested workers "not bear any responsibility to protect the store," merchandise or other people, but focus on themselves and, to the extent they can, co-workers.
The union requested to work with Kroger to create procedures to follow during such situations, like where workers should go and evacuate, and how they'll receive immediate medical care.
Those procedures would also include training to notice "signs that may indicate that a dangerous emergency may occur (such as threats, social media posts and assaults), and encourage workers, customers and others to report these matters to a manager or security guard."
The union wants paid, annual trainings for employees, and for new employees to receive training within a month of starting. They want clear pathways to store exits and panic buttons connected to law enforcement installed throughout the stores.
In its statement, Kroger said its Delta Division, which includes the Collierville store, "underwent personal safety training within the past six months." Details of the training were not immediately clear.
The union also asked for "trained professional armed security guards" when workers are in store or fuel centers. (Kroger recently cut ties with security company Allied Universal after the Aug. 7 fatal shooting of Alvin Motley at an East Memphis Kroger gas station. The security guard, Gregory Livingston, faces a second-degree murder charge; police say Livingston argued with Motley over loud music, then shot him.)
It was not immediately clear if Kroger employs a security guard at the Kroger or if that guard was working at the time of the shooting Thursday.
Workers should have paid leave, benefits after shooting
If a dangerous emergency does occur, the union made several requests for assisting employees in the aftermath.
They've proposed to the company that all workers — regardless of whether they were working during the shooting — be placed on administrative leave "until they feel healthy enough to return to work," without needing a doctor's note.
Health and welfare benefits should continue while workers are on leave, the union requested, and workers shouldn't have to dip into any other sick or paid time off.
Kroger, the union said, should pay for all counseling and therapy workers need due to the emergency, and help workers apply for victim assistance services.
After an emergency, the union requested the store be closed for at least 14 days, and shouldn't be reopened until the store is "repaired to the condition (it) was in before the dangerous emergency."
Workers should get up to four more weeks of paid leave if they need it, and be able to take needed breaks once they're back on the job, the union said. Equivalent transfers should be available for workers who don't want to return, with any new travel distances compensated by Kroger.
Kroger said it is providing pay and benefits as well as free counseling services, but did not elaborate on details.
"We remain focused on supporting our associates through this tragedy," read the Kroger statement. "We’re offering free counseling services and have established an associate resource center nearby. Additionally, we are continuing to provide affected associates with pay and benefits as well as support through our Helping Hands fund."
'Everybody's still...in shock'
Kroger officials met with employees Monday afternoon, providing updates and bringing them belongings left behind.
Sheppard canceled another meeting with Kroger to go in support of the union members who'd requested it, but was not allowed inside.
He said the union is filing an unfair labor charge with the National Labor Relations Board related to being kept out of the meeting.
"Everybody's still kind of in shock," Sheppard said, describing employees after the meeting. "Not really know how to proceed going forward."
In its statement, in full below, Kroger did not respond when asked why Sheppard was kept out of the meeting Monday, but said it wanted "the best for our associates and welcome continued dialogue with" the union.
Kroger's statement in full:
We are horrified and heartbroken over the senseless violence that occurred last Thursday at our New Byhalia Rd. store in Collierville, TN. In the days since the shooting, we’re learning of truly heroic acts that included associates, customers and first responders selflessly helping to protect and save others.
The well-being of our associates and customers is a top priority, every day. We continually invest in safety measures and training. In fact, our Delta Division, including the Collierville store, underwent personal safety training within the past six months.
We remain focused on supporting our associates through this tragedy. We’re offering free counseling services and have established an associate resource center nearby. Additionally, we are continuing to provide affected associates with pay and benefits as well as support through our Helping Hands fund.
We want the best for our associates and welcome continued dialogue with UFCW Local 1529.
Laura Testino covers education and children's issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at [email protected] or 901-512-3763. Find her on Twitter: @LDTestino
Source link
