Potential Strike Looms for Denver King Soopers and City Market Workers
Denver, CO – Workers at King Soopers and City Market may soon cast votes to authorize a strike as early as Monday, following the expiration of their previous contract on Friday at midnight. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 announced it is scheduling strike votes amid failed negotiations with the grocery chain’s parent company, Kroger.
The expired contract previously included a “no-strike clause,” which no longer applies. UFCW Local 7’s president, Kim Cordova, expressed concerns over the company’s proposals, claiming they do not adequately address wage increases, healthcare benefits, or staffing issues. Cordova emphasized that the union is fighting to secure livable wages, decent health and retirement benefits, and to alleviate staffing shortages affecting both workers and customers.
In response, King Soopers stated it intends to avoid a strike, asserting that their “last, best and final” offer remains on the table until January 31. The company accuses the union of stalling negotiations, insisting that its proposal includes hourly wage increases and affordable healthcare plans, while maintaining pension contributions.
The looming strike votes come after a tumultuous period of negotiations that began after a nine-day worker strike in January 2022, which concluded with a contract worth approximately $170 million in wage increases and benefits. This latest round of negotiations is critical, particularly in light of the recent collapse of a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons.
As King Soopers and City Market workers prepare for the potential strike vote, the UFCW Local 7 aims to advocate for better working conditions and pay, setting a significant precedent for grocery contracts across Colorado. The community watches closely as negotiations between union representatives and the grocery chain unfold.