(The Center Square) – King Soopers workers have gone on strike across Colorado, with prominent state leaders appearing on the picket line.
The Colorado-based grocery store is one of the largest employers in the state. More than 70 stores, many of them in the Denver area, have joined the strike since it began Thursday.
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 a press release, 96% of union members voted to strike.
Specifically, 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 union workers for wearing union gear while at work.
“This strike is about holding one of the largest corporations in America accountable when they break the law and cause harm to workers and our customers,” said UFCW President Kim Cordova. “We are holding this strike for a two-week period to allow everyone to understand our concerns, and give the employer time to right their wrong.”
King Soopers has responded to the strike with a lawsuit against the union, stating that it is prioritizing “out-of-state special interests over the hardworking people who call this state home.”
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court on Friday. It alleges “unlawful tactics” by the union during negotiating and is seeking restitution for damages caused by the strike.
King Soopers has urged UFCW Local 7 to return to the negotiating table, offering a deal including $180 million in additional wages to associates, pension stability, etc.
“We’re committed to a fair contract that delivers real wage increases, affordable healthcare and pension stability — just like we always have,” said Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers. “We won’t be pressured by illegal actions that hurt our stores, our associates, or the communities that rely on us.”
UFCW Local 7 labeled the lawsuit “baseless” and the company’s allegations “false.”
“This litigation is nothing more than an attempt to distract from King Soopers’ efforts to silence its workforce and prevent workers from reaching an equitable contract,” the union said in a press release.
Democratic politicians in the state have joined in supporting the strike.
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper visited workers on the picket line over the weekend, stating that he supports them as they advocate “for a fair agreement and better working conditions.”
State Attorney General Phil Weiser, a Democrat who is also running for governor, also stopped by a picket line on Sunday.
“I stood with King Soopers UFCW workers against a harmful merger,” he said, referring to another King Soopers strike in 2022. “I stand with them against an illegal agreement not to compete for workers, and I stand with them for fair wages and fair working conditions