) associates working at stores in the company's Mid-South and Atlanta Divisions have ratified a new labor agreement with UFCW Local 1995. "We are pleased to reach an agreement that is good for our associates and allows us to be competitive in the region," said John Hackett, president of Kroger's Mid-South Division. Bruce Lucia, president of Kroger's Atlanta Division said, "I want to thank our associates for their patience during the negotiation process. I am grateful to work with a dedicated and professional team committed to serving our customers with excellence." The contract covers 10,500 associates working in stores for Kroger's Mid-South and Atlanta Divisions. It includes Nashville and Knoxville, TN; Huntsville, AL and Bowling Green, KY. Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 339,000 associates who serve customers in 2,422 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 790 convenience stores, 344 fine jewelry stores, 1,141 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by