King Soopers, a grocery store chain owned by Kroger, has reached an agreement with its union workers after a 12-day strike that began on February 6. The 100-day agreement calls for an end to strike activities and no implementation of the company’s “last, best, final” offer.
According to King Soopers President Joe Kelley, contract negotiations can resume on February 27. Kelley stated that he is confident in reaching a new contract within the next 100 days, with the deadline set for May 31.
However, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 7 President Kim Cordova expressed caution, stating that the agreement does not necessarily mean an end to the dispute. The union had demanded improvements on understaffing issues, which Kelley denied, saying King Soopers has more employees than three years ago.
Cordova acknowledged that some of the union’s concerns were addressed in the agreement, but warned that no member was in immediate danger of losing health care coverage. She also accused King Soopers of trying to scare workers into accepting an unfavorable deal.
The strike affected 79 stores across the Denver area and Pueblo, with around 10,000 employees participating. The National Labor Relations Board had received complaints from both sides regarding unfair labor practices.
A meeting between Kelley and Cordova was held on Sunday, where they discussed a “peaceful relations agreement” to revive negotiations. King Soopers offered to ensure striking workers’ health care coverage would continue even if they didn’t work enough days to draw benefits.
Judge Sarah B. Wallace’s ruling against most of the restrictions King Soopers requested in a temporary restraining order is believed to have prompted the company to resume negotiations, with Cordova stating that she hopes King Soopers will recognize its workers as stakeholders in the company.
Source: https://www.denverpost.com/2025/02/18/king-soopers-union-strike-over-negotiations-resume