Middletown, Ohio, Shoppers Brace for Possible Kroger Strike

By Middletown Journal, Ohio

Nov. 1–MIDDLETOWN — Most area shoppers are used to making tough money choices when they go to the grocery store. But rarely do those choices include whether to cross a union’s picket line.

That’s a decision many local shoppers would face if Kroger workers go on strike at midnight Friday. Some loyal customers said they would continue to shop at area Kroger locations regardless, while others stood strongly in support of union employees.

“I wouldn’t shop here,” said Tim Brown, of West Chester Twp., as he departed the Kroger Marketplace store in Liberty Twp. “I’ve been in unions before and I won’t cross picket lines.” Rob Rindfleisch of West Chester Twp. said he feels for union workers but doubts he would change his shopping habits.

“People shop Kroger for convenience,” Rindfleisch said. “We’re here for convenience.” Likewise, Julie Wogenstahl of Liberty Twp. said a strike would not keep her away.

“You still need to buy groceries and I’m up here about every other day, so I would still come,” she said.

In Middletown, a city familiar with work stoppages, consumers were a little more sensitive to the plight of union employees. Picket lines were a constant in Middletown during the yearlong lockout of hourly workers at AK Steel Corp.’s Middletown Works plant, and the community felt the financial sting of the labor dispute.

“We know what those people are going through,” said Dennis Wright, secretary-treasurer of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 1943.

“They’re fighting the same battle that our union and others have fought,” Wright said. “We’ve worked closely with the UFCW (United Food and Commercial Workers) in the past and we know they’ve certainly exhausted all other means before coming to this decision.

“This is a serious decision because it involves thousands of people,” he said. “We will support them in any way we can.” Wright has a personal connection to the labor issues at Kroger as his sister is a UFCW member.

“Nobody wants (a strike),” Wright said. “She’s a strong union person and she’ll support it.”

By Eric Schwartzberg and Ed Richter

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