logo
Unionized Kroger Drivers in Georgia Strike—What It Could Mean for You

Unionized Kroger Drivers in Georgia Strike—What It Could Mean for You

Yahoo30-05-2025
Kroger dates back to 1883, so the brand has been helping Americans find quality groceries for more than a century at this point. Kroger has an upwards of 2,800 stores in 35 states and annual sales of more than $132.5 billion, according to the company, making it one of the world's largest retailers.
Now, a development at a Kroger fulfillment center could cause some issues in the Kroger camp if it's not addressed.
Unionized drivers at Kroger's Forest Park Fulfillment Center near Atlanta have voted to authorize a strike, according to the group. While the strike has not yet been scheduled, union leaders say they're ready to move forward if negotiations don't improve.
According to Atlanta News First, "If a deal is not reached, the drivers are prepared to go on strike, which could lead to bare shelves at stores across the southeast and potentially higher prices." However, it's unclear how the potential strike could impact Kroger's ability to keep items in stock or change prices, so that's not a guarantee.
"Kroger needs to stop dragging its feet and deliver a real offer that respects the work we do," Marion Jackson, a Kroger driver and Local 528 shop steward, said in a statement. "This company can more than afford what we're asking for. We are ready to strike if Kroger doesn't start taking our demands seriously."
Atlanta News First also reports that the Teamsters said both sides will start negotiations again on June 9.
"We don't want to take the next step. We don't want to strike. Nobody wants to be out of work at all, but we just want Kroger to come to the table with a fair equitable contract," driver Marion Jackson added, per Atlanta News First.
Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta president Rev. Shanan E. Jones also issued a statement about the strike.
"The men and women who drive and deliver Kroger's products are the same ones driving Kroger's profits," Jones said via the Teamsters. "They deserve dignity, respect, and their fair share."Unionized Kroger Drivers in Georgia Strike—What It Could Mean for You first appeared on Men's Journal on May 30, 2025
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Is there an age limit when buying annuities?
Is there an age limit when buying annuities?

CBS News

time12 minutes ago

  • CBS News

Is there an age limit when buying annuities?

When it comes to planning for retirement in today's unusual economic landscape, many Americans are looking beyond the traditional options, like savings accounts and 401(k)s. With stock market volatility becoming a more common part of the economic landscape, more soon-to-be retirees are turning toward more reliable options, like annuities, instead. These unique retirement products are particularly appealing right now because they offer a way to incorporate a guaranteed income stream into your retirement portfolio, offering peace of mind in an unpredictable economy. But annuities don't function like most other retirement tools, which can make them feel intimidating, especially when you're investing a hefty sum and start seeing numbers and terms you don't fully understand. And, one question that often pops up is whether your age limits your ability to buy an annuity, which is a fair concern. After all, these products are designed to provide income that lasts for the rest of your life, and the timing of your annuity purchase can significantly impact both how much you pay for an annuity and how much you receive in return. So, are there age restrictions to consider when you're buying an annuity? And, if so, what should you know before purchasing this type of retirement tool? Compare your annuity options to find the right fit for your portfolio. There generally isn't a strict age limit to buying an annuity. You can generally purchase one as long as the insurance company allows it, and there are no federal laws that cap the maximum age, either. That said, individual insurers will often impose their own limits, which can vary based on the type of annuity. Many providers set a maximum age for immediate or fixed annuities (which start paying out right away) at between 80 and 85 years old. Variable and deferred annuities, which begin payments later, may have slightly higher age caps, or they may have none at all. So why do insurers impose these limits on annuity purchases? The short answer is that it's largely about risk. The older the buyer, the shorter the period in which the company expects to make payments, which affects pricing and guarantees. From a consumer standpoint, understanding these limits is crucial because waiting too long to buy an annuity could mean fewer options or higher costs. In some cases, insurers may also require additional medical underwriting for older purchasers to ensure the product is appropriate. In addition to maximum age guidelines, there may be minimum age requirements. Most annuity products require buyers to be at least 18, for example, though some retirement-focused annuities align with tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s and have restrictions based on those rules. Explore the top annuities available to you today. There's no perfect age for buying an annuity. You should generally use your retirement strategy rather than your birthday to determine the timing of your purchase. However, certain age ranges do offer distinct advantages when purchasing an annuity. For example, many financial advisors suggest considering annuities in your late 50s to mid-60s, especially if you're concerned about market volatility impacting your retirement savings. At this stage, you have enough time to benefit from potential growth in deferred annuities while still being young enough to qualify for the best rates and terms. But purchasing an immediate annuity right around your full retirement age — typically 66 to 67 for most people — can provide you with an income stream that complements your Social Security benefits. At this age, it also makes sense to convert a portion of your retirement savings into guaranteed income, providing a solid foundation for your retirement budget. That said, there can be advantages to waiting until your 70s or even early 80s to purchase an immediate annuity. Since these products are priced based on life expectancy, older purchasers often receive higher monthly payments. If you're in good health and have family longevity on your side, this could work in your favor. Ultimately, the key is to try and balance the higher payout rates that come with age against the risk of potentially disqualifying yourself due to health issues or facing reduced product availability. It's also worth considering that the longer you wait, the fewer years you'll have to recoup your initial investment. There isn't a hard-and-fast age limit for buying annuities, but the timing still matters. Most insurers accommodate buyers well into their 80s and sometimes beyond, particularly for immediate annuity products, but the optimal timing varies significantly based on your specific circumstances, health and financial goals. So, rather than focusing solely on age restrictions, it could make more sense to consider whether an annuity aligns with your overall retirement strategy. Before you make any decisions, though, be sure you fully understand the type of annuity, the payout options and how your age affects the pricing and the guarantees, as those factors are a critical part of making the right decision for your finances.

DOE announces student loan forgiveness program rule change
DOE announces student loan forgiveness program rule change

UPI

time42 minutes ago

  • UPI

DOE announces student loan forgiveness program rule change

1 of 2 | Student debt relief activists rallied outside the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023. Monday, the Department of Education announced a rules change in the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness program. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo Aug. 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Education issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Monday that would prevent benefits under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program from being "improperly provided to borrowers whose employers are engaged in activities with a substantial illegal purpose." The notice allows open comments, though the agency isn't required to act based on those comments. It's an attempt at government transparency, required by the Administrative Procedures Act. "President [Donald] Trump has given the Department a historic mandate to restore the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to its original purpose -- supporting public servants who strengthen their communities and serve the public good, not benefiting businesses engaged in illegal activity that harm Americans," Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said in a statement. "The federal government has a vital interest in deterring unlawful conduct, and we're moving quickly to ensure employers don't benefit while breaking the law." The statement said the "unlawful conduct" includes "supporting terrorism, aiding or abetting discrimination or violations of immigration laws, or child abuse, would be excluded as qualifying PSLF employers under the proposed changes." The statement didn't offer examples, and the language about determining which organizations will be disqualified is vague. "Public Service Loan Forgiveness was enacted in a bipartisan way to help incentivize hardworking people to go into public service," Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, told NBC News. "The Trump administration is trying, through executive authority, to limit who can access this benefit based on a litmus test of who they like and who they don't like." Comments on the proposed rules can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at The department will not accept comments submitted by fax or by e-mail or comments submitted after the comment period closes. The department must receive comments on or before Sept. 17. President George W. Bush signed the PSLF into law in 2007. It allows many not-for-profit and government employees to have their federal student loans canceled after 10 years of payments.

Wages aren't keeping up with inflation, with some jobs falling farther behind than others
Wages aren't keeping up with inflation, with some jobs falling farther behind than others

CBS News

time42 minutes ago

  • CBS News

Wages aren't keeping up with inflation, with some jobs falling farther behind than others

Wages still haven't caught up with inflation, four years after the pandemic caused prices to soar and created a cost-of-living crisis for many households, a new study finds. Americans on average are earning 1.2 percentage points below the rise in the cost of living over the past four years, which means that the typical worker's pay increases over that time haven't yet caught up to higher prices, according to Bankrate's 2025 Wage to Inflation Index. The findings come as Americans remain sour about the economy, with 55% rating it as either very or fairly bad, according to a July poll from CBS News. Three-quarters said their incomes haven't kept up with inflation, while a majority also said they've seen prices creep higher in recent weeks and also expect that to continue. But some professions are falling further behind than others, with educators seeing the biggest gap between income growth and inflation during the past four years, the study found. Teachers have long struggled with a "wage gap," meaning that they typically earn less than college graduates working in other fields, due to issues such as constraints on school funding, according to the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute. "Wage growth is often a reflection of who has the power in the labor market," Bankrate economic analyst Sarah Foster told CBS MoneyWatch. "If there are more job openings than workers to fill them, businesses will often lift pay to retain or attract talent." She added, "On the flip side, if there are too few job openings, companies don't have to work as hard to keep workers because they have nowhere to really go." Overall, the 1.2 percentage point gap between the typical workers' pay growth and inflation during the past four years signals that many households are continuing to feel financial strain, Foster added. Even before the pandemic, millions of Americans were struggling to save for emergencies. "Wages not keeping up with inflation translate to outright purchasing-power destruction," Foster said. "These are funds that households could be using to stash away for their goals, like saving for retirement and a home, or building up their safety nets and emergency fund." The professions that have outpaced inflation include those that saw a spike in demand after the pandemic, including leisure and hospitality workers, she added. "Health care, meanwhile, is driving job growth lately, accounting for 88% of private-sector payroll growth last month," Foster said. Only about 54% of Americans say they are satisfied with their current wages, according to a new analysis from Federal Reserve Bank of New York. That represents the lowest satisfaction level since the NY Fed began tracking the measure in 2014. Even high-income households, which contribute about half of all consumer spending and drive economic growth, are facing bigger financial hurdles, including surging delinquencies on credit cards and auto loans, according to recent research. For instance, the share of all new jobs that pay above-average wages has fallen to 7% this year, down from 38% prior to 2020, according to credit-scoring company VantageScore. That can make it tougher for professionals to find new jobs if they suffer a job loss, the group noted. Workers in white-collar industries like finance and business services "speak of a frozen job market," Foster noted. "Employed workers in the sector can't find anywhere else to go and unemployed workers struggle to find new work."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store