King Soopers workers in Colorado initiate a strike demanding increased wages from grocery chain

Thousands of King Soopers workers in Colorado have started a two-week strike, leading to picket lines outside of stores and shoppers making choices about where to shop. Some customers are crossing the picket lines, while others are avoiding King Soopers in solidarity with the striking workers. The wage increase offer by King Soopers would boost salaries for top-tier workers, but most workers will still make less. Some employees are concerned about the workload and staffing levels. The company maintains that it has more staff than before, despite the strike. The union has a long list of grievances, including concerns about retirement health plan contributions and a share buyback program initiated by parent company Kroger. The strike is expected to last two weeks, with workers in other cities joining in as their contracts expire. Customers and workers are both feeling the impact of the strike as they navigate the ongoing labor dispute.