COLUMBUS, Ohio — Everyday thousands of Central Ohioans stop in to Kroger to shop, but with a recent strike authorization the company said check out lines could become  longer while help becomes scarce.

Since the start of the pandemic, Holland Howl has had to make more frequent stops to the grocery store, because of staffing and supply shortages.

“Obviously I don't have easy transportation here so it's a little bit tiring having to walk back and forth to check and see if items are back in stock and usually they’re not,” said Howl. 

According to Kroger, things could possibly get worse after union employees recently authorized a strike. The company siad this comes after it made an offer that included $120 million invested in new wages, $192 million invested in health care and $69 million in pension benefits for associates.

Columbus resident Jonathan Miller said while a strike could be inconvenient, he would stand with the Kroger employees.

“I guess I am kind of worried about the long lines and items not really being there, but I know I'll find it somewhere else in town, if that means not here temporarily,” said Miller.

Kroger corporate is urging the union to come back to the table.

“We have two objectives for these contract negotiations: to invest more money in our associates’ paychecks and keep groceries affordable for our customers,” said Dana Zurcher, president of the Kroger Columbus division.

While Kroger is not alone in experiencing issues negotiating, Howl said she hopes life gets more certain because of the demand for change.

“The normal has definitely changed. I think it's changed for good, but it is hard being a student with all these different places with shortages,” said Howl. 

Spectrum News reached out to the Local UFCW in Columbus to find out when and if employees would be going on strike and have yet to hear back.

According to Kroger Corporate, a strike authorization doesn't mean employees are on strike and associates should still be coming in to work.