Kroger's layoffs in the Triangle will be larger than expected

Kroger has told the N.C. Commerce Department that 1,652 employees will be laid off when the company closes its Triangle stores on Aug. 14 — the first official count from Kroger since announcing it would close all 14 stores.

On June 13, the Cincinnati-based grocer said the store closures would affect about 1,500 full-time and part-time workers. In its notice to the state, Kroger said 118 workers would be laid off at each store.

Among those losing their jobs are 438 cashiers, 104 produce clerks, 126 deli clerks and 140 baggers. In the pharmacy departments, 165 employees will be laid off.

Kroger employees at the Triangle locations are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 204.

Casey Hoag, a spokesman for the union, said the organization is focused on connecting employees with jobs in nearby grocery stores.

The union will hold a resource fair on July 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel in Durham. People will be on hand to help members with a range of services, including unemployment information, healthcare information and pension assistance.

Allison McGee, corporate affairs manager of Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division, said the company’s human resource team also will meet with employees to discuss options and help them find employment.

McGee said that workers would receive severance pay and health and welfare benefits, but gave no details.

According to a UFCW document shared with The N&O by an employee, part-time workers received $250 in severance pay. Full-time employees' severance pay is based on the number of years worked, ranging from $400 for those with less than five years on the job to $1,000 for those who had worked 20 years or more.

Kroger will hold a career fair at 11 a.m. on July 17 and 18 at the Hampton Inn Airport in Raleigh. The company will offer resumé assistance at 10 a.m. before the fair.

Companies such as Food Lion, Lowe’s Foods, Lidl and Walmart will attend the event.

Food Lion also is hosting job fairs in Raleigh, Durham and Cary from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 6. The fairs will be held at the Hilton in North Raleigh, the Courtyard by Marriott in Durham and Embassy Suites in Cary. The grocer is looking to hire for 300 full-time and part-time positions in Raleigh.

This story was originally published July 3, 2018 at 5:17 PM.