CINCINNATI (AP) -- Cincinnati area supermarket workers have voted to reject a new three-year contract proposal from Kroger that would increase health insurance costs for employees.
Workers in Northern Kentucky are included in the region.
Leaders of the United Food and Commercial Workers union had urged rejection of the offer, giving membership the authority to call a strike if future negotiations don't progress.
Union leaders say the proposal by Cincinnati-based Kroger also offered subpar wage increases.
The union didn't release vote totals but said Kroger's offer was rejected by 98 percent of voters, and turnout was strong.
The union represents 11,000 employees in 77 stores.
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