A potential strike has been averted following agreement between the Kroger Company and UFCW Local 400 representing workers in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.  The contract will include a starting wage of $13 per hour for new employees, provide raises for department leaders and cap health and welfare costs for the duration of the contract. Union members will be protected from any reduction in hours worked as a result of the Company using vendors and temporary workers.  Approximately 3,000 employees represented by the Union will now vote to approve the agreement.