Union condemns King Soopers lawsuit as workers strike continues
- The union representing striking workers denounces a lawsuit filed by King Soopers, calling it 'frivolous'.
- In response to the strike, grocery delivery gig workers also suffer financial consequences due to fewer orders.
- The ongoing tension highlights the need for a resolution to the labor dispute that affects thousands of workers.
In Colorado, striking workers from King Soopers have faced ongoing legal battles with management. Recently, the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 7, which represents these workers, criticized a lawsuit filed by King Soopers that branded their strike actions as 'unsafe'. The union dismissed the lawsuit as 'frivolous', accusing the grocery chain of attempting to silence its employees instead of addressing complaints about staffing shortages. The division president of King Soopers, Joe Kelley, insisted on prioritizing safety for customers and workers, expressing willingness to engage in discussions with the union, yet tensions remain high. The legal conflicts between King Soopers and the union are not new. Just prior to the latest lawsuit, King Soopers initiated another legal action against the union, alleging their tactics were coercive and violated the National Labor Relations Act. The union dismissed these allegations as baseless, predicting that any court review would not favor King Soopers. The ongoing strikes, which have lasted nearly a week, have created ripple effects affecting not just the workers directly involved but also grocery delivery gig workers across Colorado. Many drivers have reported a decrease in their income as a result of the strike, blaming limited shopping opportunities at King Soopers locations. Among these affected workers is Megan Snavely, a local grocery delivery driver who depends on King Soopers for her primary orders. She expressed her struggles, noting that her earnings have significantly dropped due to the diminished number of orders, leading her to potentially face financial hardship. Despite understanding the plight of striking workers, she feels compelled to continue working to support her family. As the strike unfolds, both sides remain entrenched in their positions as negotiations or court actions proceed, with no immediate resolution in sight. Workers on strike are focused on securing a living wage and rectifying what they view as unsafe working conditions, while management is pushing for a legal approach to limit the strike's impact.