Smith employees ratify labor agreement

Albuquerque, N.M. The Kroger Co. said Friday that employees of Smith’s Food & Drug in New Mexico have ratified a new labor agreement that includes among its key points provisions for affordable health care.

The associates are members of United Food & Commercial Workers Union Local 1564 in New Mexico. Smith's is a division of Kroger.

The new labor agreement covers more than 2,000 Smith's employees who work in 26 stores in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Farmington and the surrounding areas.

“This agreement maintains quality jobs and affordable health care for our associates and their families in this challenging economy and keeps our stores competitive” said Jim Hallsey, president of Smith’s Food and Drug.