(The Center Square) – The workers strike at King Soopers continues as the company calls for the union to negotiate a deal.
The Colorado-based grocery store is one of the largest employers in the state. Since the strike began on Feb. 6, union members at more than 70 stores, many of them in the Denver area, have joined. More workers from Colorado Springs could also be poised to join the strike in the coming days, following a contract expiration.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local Union No. 7 initiated the two-week strike of more than 10,000 unionized workers, alleging unfair labor practices. According to the union, 96% of its members voted to strike.
King Soopers has filed multiple lawsuits to limit the work stoppages, but those have not been successful. The union pushed back against those lawsuits.
“King Soopers’ distractions are still just that, distractions,” it said in a statement. “We are hopeful that the company will finally get the basic messages we have been telling them since October – get serious with bargaining, stop the unfair labor practices, and address the goals of the bargain that would solve the staffing crisis that impacts workers as well as shoppers.”
King Soopers, owned by Kroger Co., has formally requested that the union enter into an agreement to “ensure stability for associates, customers and the communities” as negotiations for fair wages continue.
“Let’s be clear—this work stoppage has never been about wages, healthcare, or pensions. Instead, the Union is using unsubstantiated unfair labor practice claims as a tactic to create unnecessary disruption and uncertainty,” said Joe Kelley, division president of King Soopers and City Market, in a press release. “We remain committed to reaching a fair agreement that supports our associates with competitive wages and benefits while keeping groceries affordable for Colorado customers.”
The union alleges that King Soopers illegally interrogated union workers, did not provide information necessary for the union to be able to make or consider proposals in contract negotiations, and threatened workers for wearing union gear while at work.
King Soopers said that they have met with union representatives 13 times to reach an agreement but they have not “responded with any substantive offer, has not provided a wage proposal, and has made no request to return to the bargaining table.”
The union sent a letter to King Soopers the same day the company issued its formal negotiation request. In it, it stated that it would “pull down picket lines” when King Soopers met a series of demands, including no retaliation against union members who participated in the strike.
So far, neither side has announced if they are in negotiations over an official agreement.