The King Soopers workers’ strike lasted for 12 days before coming to a temporary halt. This was longer than the 2022 strike in the Denver metro area.
The timing of the strike was strategic, aiming to disrupt sales during major shopping days like Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine’s Day.
Originally planned to last two weeks, the strike led to legal battles, court orders, and company expenses on temporary workers.
More than 10,000 unionized grocery workers across Colorado participated, including two stores in Pueblo. Workers in Colorado Springs were also ready to strike but never received the call to walk out.
No Contract Agreement, But a 100-Day Truce
Unlike in 2022, this time King Soopers and the union did not agree on a new contract. Instead, both sides settled on 100 days of labor peace.
“Our strike was just the beginning of our fight,” a union memo stated. King Soopers, on the other hand, said they are committed to reaching a fair deal while ensuring affordable groceries for customers.
During this period, contract talks will continue. The agreement also states that workers won’t face retaliation for striking.
The union aims to use this time to propose solutions for staffing shortages and pension protection.
King Soopers Stops Using Temporary Workers
As part of the deal, King Soopers agreed to stop employing temporary workers who were brought in to replace striking employees.
Stores and pharmacies returned to normal hours. The company also agreed to adjust how healthcare credits are given, ensuring workers qualify for benefits based on January hours instead of February.
Ongoing Disagreements and Worker Demands
For months, both sides struggled to find common ground. The contract that was reached after the 2022 strike expired in mid-January, affecting workers in Denver, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs.
The union accused King Soopers of unfair labor practices, saying the company refused to share necessary data to fix staffing issues.
They also claimed the grocery chain wanted to cut retiree health benefits and wasn’t offering fair wage increases.
Tensions escalated after Kroger’s failed merger with Albertsons, which the union had strongly opposed.
The company denied all allegations and maintained that its final offer, proposed on January 16, was fair. However, the union never responded with a counteroffer, leading to the strike.
The Cost of the Strike
Thousands of workers went on strike starting February 6, encouraging shoppers to buy groceries from competitors like Safeway.
King Soopers hired out-of-state temporary workers, covering their transportation and lodging costs. The company also reduced store hours.
Union leader Kim Cordova warned that the strike could expand statewide, including northern Colorado and the Western Slope.
Last-Minute Negotiations Before the Deal
Over President’s Day weekend, both sides made final efforts to reach an agreement. A Denver judge granted King Soopers a restraining order against the union but also protected workers’ right to picket.
The ruling limited the grocer’s requests but allowed picketers to continue protesting near store entrances.
After the ruling, King Soopers reached out to Cordova. The two sides discussed key issues, including staffing proposals and whether the company’s final offer would remain unchanged.
The strike nearly ended a day earlier, but negotiations broke down when the grocer refused to meet certain demands.
On Sunday, after 13 hours of talks, another potential deal fell apart over last-minute details. By Monday, discussions resumed, and by 9 p.m., an agreement was reached.
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Key Unresolved Issues
One major sticking point is sales data. The union wants sales figures to create staffing proposals, but King Soopers refuses to share them.
The company argues that unit data (tracking the number of boxes moved) is a better measure of workload than sales numbers, which can be affected by inflation.
King Soopers says it has already provided unit data from the past two years and is willing to share more if needed.
Will There Be Another Strike?
King Soopers hopes to finalize a deal before the 100-day period ends. “If we negotiate in good faith, I think we can get this deal done quickly,” said company president Joe Kelley.
However, Cordova warned that another strike could happen if progress stalls. “We can strike again, and we will if we have to,” she said.
Despite the strike, Kelley claims business remained strong. Some customers, he noted, were frustrated by the inconvenience.
However, Cordova believes the strike was effective, as shoppers flocked to competing stores like Safeway, Whole Foods, and Sprouts.
She also suggested that the conflict in Denver could set a national precedent. Since similar labor issues exist across the country, resolving this dispute could influence future negotiations at other Kroger locations.
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