Denver residents will face a two-week grocery store shutdown starting Thursday morning as approximately 10,000 employees from King Soopers and City Market unions across the Denver metro and Front Range area prepare to strike. The move comes after failed union negotiations over wages, healthcare benefits, and workplace practices.
UFCW Local 7, the Colorado grocery store union, announced that 77 stores will participate in the strike on Thursday at 5 a.m. The union claims King Soopers has temporarily hired replacement workers, sparking concerns about job security for existing employees.
King Soopers responded to the announcement by accusing the union of refusing to actively bargain and calling the strike “premature.” The company stated that it remains open to continuing negotiations but emphasized the need to reach a fair agreement that includes wage increases while keeping groceries affordable.
This is not the first time King Soopers workers in Colorado have gone on strike. A similar strike occurred in 2022, which led to an agreement between the union and the grocer after nine days of walkouts. The current dispute centers around allegations of unfair labor practices, including allegedly interrogating union members about bargaining, surveilling discussions with union staff, and refusing to provide necessary information.
The National Labor Relations Board has determined that King Soopers did not commit any Unfair Labor Practices during these negotiations. However, the union claims that the company’s actions have led to a toxic work environment and demands fair treatment for workers.
As the strike begins, employees will gather at the front of their stores and establish picket lines. Residents are advised to check with local grocery stores for availability and plan accordingly.
Source: https://kdvr.com/news/local/king-soopers-employees-plan-to-strike-in-denver-metro-area-on-thursday