8,500 King Soopers employees across 77 Denver metropolitan area stores are on strike asking for better wages, a solution for staffing shortages, and to retain seniority-based scheduling protections. The strike is expected to last no more than two weeks and is organized by The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 7. The union said the strike is for unfair labor practices.
The union has been negotiating with the company since October, but the contract expired on January 17 without a resolution in place. The strike is slated for two weeks, but could end at any time if the two sides come to an agreement.
King Soopers stores in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson and Louisville counties are involved in the strike. The stores will remain open during the strike, but have adjusted hours. They will be open from 7am-8pm; the pharmacy will be open from 8am-7pm (weekdays) and 10am-5pm (weekends).
King Soopers, in a press release, said “we stand behind our Last Best and Final Offer” which includes a “$180 million investment in additional wages” and a “$4.50 wage increase for top-rate associates over the life of the 4-year contract.” The last King Soopers strike in 2022 lasted for 10 days.
