King Soopers Strike Appears Imminent: Company, Union Talks Fail

DENVER, CO – It looks likely that King Soopers employees will strike after the failure of a bargaining session between representatives for King Soopers/City Market and their employees' union.

UFCW Local 7 released a statement March 8 saying representatives for the company "abruptly walked out of the room and did not return."

Kim Cordova, UFCW Local 7 president said the company walked out in the middle of negotiations, which shows "bad faith." The union and the Kroger-owned company have been in contract negotiations with the 12,000-worker union since December.

The union said the company's offer unfairly gives some employees up to a 30 cent per hour raise, while others receive nothing. The company also would not budge on employee sick leave.

"Despite record profits and continued growth as Colorado's grocery leader, the latest contract proposal from King Soopers and City Market includes no raises for nearly half of worker, fewer full-time jobs in the community and no access to sick leave for thousands of workers who handle your family's food," Cordova said in a statement.

King Soopers issued a statement denying the union's characterization of the soured talks:

“We want to set the record straight on labor negotiations. It’s unfortunate the facts have been misrepresented. Our associates and customers deserve the truth. Our team has made themselves available to continue negotiating with the union. As negotiations continue our stores and associates will serve our communities as they always have. To be clear our offer makes significant investments in our associates: Increase in wages, incremental investments to the employee pension plan, continued investment to best in class healthcare at no additional cost. We know our associates are the heart of King Soopers/City Market and we will continue to negotiate with them and our communities in mind.”

Earlier in the week, signs advertising for temporary help in case of a strike appeared in King Soopers stores. After a backlash, the company took them down.

King Soopers opened its first grocery store in Arvada in 1947, started by Lloyd King and his sons. The chain now has 109 King Soopers and City Market stores staffed by union employees.

Related: King Soopers Strike Draws Closer: Union, Kroger Can't Make A Deal

Related: Arvada Origins Of 'King Soopers' Name: Archie Comics