Following failed negotiations between the grocery store chain and its union, United Food and Commercial UFCW Union Local 7—more than 8,700 workers from King Soopers stores in Denver, Parker, Boulder, and Broomfield—went on strike in January.
Customers unwilling to cross picket lines found other means of grocery shopping during the two-week strike, leaving many parking lots desolate as shelves went unstocked.
The union held a press conference prior to the strike, addressing the employees’ concerns with the company, as well as the breakdown in negotiations. Their demands included higher wages, better healthcare plans, stricter mask mandates, and increased on-the-job security.
The decision to strike was voted on almost unanimously, and the union posted a video to both TikTok and Twitter on January 2 with captions that read: “Parker Meat, Boulder Meat, Broomfield Meat, and Retail—100 percent voted to strike. Denver Retail—98 percent voted to strike. Denver Meat—97 percent voted to strike.”
Beyond wage increases and benefit packages, King Soopers employees had serious concerns with COVID-19 precautions and on-site security.
The union has reported that there have been 1,000 cases of coronavirus among Colorado King Soopers/Kroger employees and five employee deaths due to the virus. According to employees, the cases could have been avoided had there been stricter mask and sanitation policies.
Employees were also demanding on-site security in light of a mass shooting that took place in a Boulder King Soopers last March.
King Soopers and UFCW that they had reached a tentative agreement late last month, ending the 10-day strike immediately. Which, if any, employee demands were met have not yet been made public.
“After months of negotiations and after our members walked out on strike, we have reached a tentative agreement with King Soopers/City Market that addresses the company’s unfair labor practices and ensures that our members will receive the respect, pay, and protection they warrant,” Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7, tells 9 News.
“This fight will always be about workers,” Cordova adds. “I could not be prouder of our members who put it all on the line to have their voices heard.”
“We are pleased that this agreement allows us to put more money in our associates’ paychecks and secures healthcare and pension plans,” says Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers and City Market, in a press statement. “We look forward to welcoming back our associates and customers.”
Previous offers from the company included a pay raise of up to $4.50, depending on department and tenure, with a base pay of $16 an hour for all employees. UFCW sought a raise of $6 for everybody and a starting rate of $18 an hour. Whether they were able to cement those numbers remains to be seen.
Details of what’s been proposed in the new contract have not been made public. On January 31, workers voted whether to ratify the new agreement and have since returned to work.
