UPDATE: King Soopers and union reach tentative deal

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DENVER — Going to a King Soopers in the coming days may mean seeing picketers.

The union that represents about 17,000 grocery workers from Kroger/King Soopers in Colorado and Wyoming is calling for a strike. The news comes just a couple days after union members at nearly 90 King Soopers locations in Denver and Colorado Springs voted to authorize a strike.

According to United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7, after 17 hours of negotiations with King Soopers/City Market on Jan. 4 and 5, it presented the company with an offer. UFCW Local 7 said it gave the company until midnight on Friday to accept, but that appears unlikely to happen. 

“After repeated attempts to bring about an end to King Soopers’ unfair labor practices, which have sought to prevent grocery workers from securing an industry-leading contract, King Soopers has left us with no choice but to call for an unfair labor practice strike," said Kim Cordova, President of UFCW Local 7, in a press release to Rocky Mountain PBS. "Grocery workers ensure that our communities have access to food, but they cannot even afford to feed their own families. King Soopers has chosen to protect its bottom line, instead of protecting workers who have risked their lives every day since the start of this pandemic just by showing up to work."  

UFCW Local 7 said the bargaining committee presented a proposal which would result in an industry-leading three-year contract for King Soopers and City Market workers. Some highlights include: 

  • Wage increases of at least $6 per hour for the first year of the agreement for all classifications
  • $1.50 wage increases in years 2 and 3 of the agreement.
  • A new health plan.
  • Pension improvements for retirees and current workers.
  • Double time for all holidays worked for all workers.
  • A safety proposal, including armed security/off-duty law enforcement at all stores.
  • A four-step wage progression – ensuring workers reach journeyman wages faster.

 

You can read more of the details here. 

Cordova said the strike date will be announced in the coming days. The contracts end this weekend.

According to The Colorado Sun, about 8,400 Colorado workers would be impacted by the strike.

In a statement on its website dated Jan. 6, King Soopers/City Market said it "presented UFCW Local 7 a comprehensive best offer to settle for Retail Clerks and Meat. The company has put its best foot forward, offering the largest investment in King Soopers/City Market history."

Representatives for the grocery chain, the largest in Colorado and the U.S., went on to say the company hoped the union wouldn't call for a strike but added, "we will remain open so customers can have access to fresh food."

This story will continue to be updated as news on this strike develops. 

Amanda Horvath is a multimedia producer with Rocky Mountain PBS. You can email her at amandahorvath@rmpbs.org.