The Colorado supermarket chain King Soopers is facing a potential strike as workers have voted to authorize labor action over what their union, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, has labeled as unfair labor practices by the retailer. The specific details of the strike, such as times, dates, and locations, have not yet been determined and will be communicated to workers and the public in advance of any strike activity.
According to UFCW Local 7, the majority of King Soopers employees in various parts of Colorado participated in the strike authorization voting process. Workers in Pueblo and Colorado Springs voted on Friday and Saturday, following earlier elections in the Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, and Parker areas. This decision to strike comes after the expiration of the contract between UFCW Local 7 and King Soopers on January 16. The union has accused King Soopers of unfair labor practices, including intimidation and failure to provide necessary staffing information for the union to address staffing concerns in the stores.
In a statement on January 30, UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova expressed concerns over the retailer’s actions and cited issues such as inadequate staffing leading to empty shelves, poor customer service, and closures of delis, meat departments, and pharmacies. The union also criticized Kroger for offering wages that were deemed insufficient for employees to live on in Colorado.
This potential strike follows a previous 10-day strike by King Soopers workers more than two years ago, which resulted in legal action by the Colorado attorney general against rival Albertsons for allegedly entering into agreements not to hire King Soopers employees during the strike. Kroger and Albertsons are currently facing a class-action lawsuit filed by UFCW 7, claiming that the alleged collusion between the two companies led to lower wage scales for unionized workers in Colorado.
As the situation unfolds, it is essential for both King Soopers and the union to engage in constructive dialogue to address the concerns raised by the workers and work towards a resolution that benefits all parties involved. The outcome of this labor dispute could have significant implications not only for the employees and the company but also for the broader labor landscape in Colorado. It is crucial for both sides to prioritize communication, transparency, and fairness in their negotiations to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement and avoid any disruptions to the operations of King Soopers and the well-being of its employees.
