A strike by thousands of King Soopers employees began Thursday, with over 10,000 workers in the Front Range involved in the walkout. The union, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, claims the company has engaged in unfair labor practices, including surveilling discussions between workers and union reps.
The strike is over inadequate staffing, which impacts consumers. Union officials say employees are often forced to take on extra tasks, leading to long lines and empty shelves. The company responded by hiring temporary workers to keep stores open during the strike.
King Soopers’ proposed contract offers raises, but the union says it’s not enough to address the main issue: staffing shortages. The strike is part of a larger dispute between the union and the company over unfair labor practices, which also include threatening employees with discipline for wearing union clothing or buttons.
The National Labor Relations Board has been involved in the dispute, and both sides have filed complaints against each other. The union says King Soopers has not engaged in good and fair bargaining, while the company claims it has acted in full compliance with laws and collective bargaining agreements.
The strike affects 77 King Soopers locations in Colorado, including 118 stores owned by Kroger. The outcome of the strike is uncertain, but the union says it will continue to fight for better working conditions and a livable wage for employees.
Source: https://coloradosun.com/2025/02/06/king-soopers-temp-workers-strike-limited-hours