Negotiations Resume As King Soopers Strike Continues

DENVER, CO — King Soopers grocery store workers continue to strike at more than 70 stores in Colorado as negotiations continue with the workers' union.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 went on strike on Jan. 12, citing safety concerns and angling for better pay, after King Soopers/Kroger and Local 7 failed to reach an agreement on a new contract.

The strike involves more than 8,000 workers in Denver's metro area.

Negotiations between the union and King Soopers began on Jan. 14, and have not yet resulted in much progress.

"They still refuse to address the concerns and needs of our members," Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7 said in a statement Tuesday.

Patch reached out to King Soopers for comment but did not immediately hear back.

"Local 7 is putting politics before people and preventing us from putting more money in our associates' pockets," Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers and City Market, said on Jan. 12, in response to the strike.

"It's time for Kim Cordova to put our associates, her members, first instead of denying them the opportunity to vote on this unprecedented investment. Creating more disruption for our associates, their families, and Coloradans rather than negotiating for a peaceful resolution is irresponsible and undemocratic."

Talks continued until late Monday and resumed Tuesday, according to a statement from King Soopers.

"The Company’s failure to pay a livable wage here in Colorado is not the only reason the negotiations ended last night," Cordova said."King Soopers is still not committed to ensuring a safe workplace, protecting healthcare benefits for workers, or withdrawing numerous concessionary proposals designed to replace existing employees with gig workers."

“We are deeply disappointed by this deterioration," Cordova added. "We will return to the table today committed to securing a contract that meets these critical needs.”