The King Soopers strike that gripped the Denver area for 12 days has finally come to an end, with both company and union negotiators agreeing to return to the bargaining table. The picket lines outside King Soopers stores have been taken down, and a temporary truce has been established to allow for further discussions.
Joe Kelley, the president of Kroger-owned King Soopers and City Market, announced that contract negotiations are set to resume on February 27th. The agreement reached between the supermarket chain and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 7 includes a 100-day period without any strike activity or implementation of King Soopers’ previous offer.
Kelley expressed optimism about reaching a new contract swiftly, stating that both parties are eager to find common ground. However, Kim Cordova, the president of the union, was more cautious in her remarks, emphasizing that there is still work to be done to address concerns such as understaffing in the stores.
The union had accused King Soopers of unfair labor practices and highlighted issues of inadequate staffing, particularly within Kroger-owned stores. While King Soopers refuted claims of understaffing, they expressed willingness to consider solutions to address workforce concerns.
The strike, which began on February 6th with around 10,000 employees walking off the job, saw both sides filing complaints with the National Labor Relations Board. The union alleged that King Soopers’ proposal included unlawful provisions affecting retirees’ health care, while the company accused the union of delaying negotiations.
Despite the challenges faced during the strike, negotiations resumed after King Soopers offered assurances that striking workers’ health care coverage would continue, even for those who had not met the required work days. This move helped to alleviate concerns among union members about losing their benefits.
The union president, Cordova, credited a judge’s ruling against most of King Soopers’ requests for restrictions on striking workers as a turning point in resuming negotiations. She emphasized the importance of recognizing workers as stakeholders in the company moving forward.
As the dust settles on the strike, both parties are hopeful for a productive dialogue to reach a new contract that addresses the needs of employees and the company alike. The resolution of the strike marks a step towards restoring normalcy in King Soopers stores across the Denver area.
Originally Published: February 18, 2025 at 6:35 PM MST
