King Soopers workers plan strike for better wages and working conditions

In the United States, specifically Colorado, workers from 77 King Soopers grocery stores are preparing to go on strike starting Thursday morning at 5 a.m. This action follows failed negotiations between the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 7 union and Kroger, the parent company of King Soopers. Approximately 10,000 workers are involved in the strike due to unresolved issues regarding wages and working conditions, with the union making appeals for higher salaries and improvements in staffing levels. Additionally, the union claims that the company has not adequately responded to staffing and pricing data requests for several months, resulting in a growing tension between employees and management. King Soopers President Joe Kelley has stated that approximately 1,500 temporary workers are already trained and ready to step in as the company grapples with the ramifications of the strike. He asserts that the company has successfully added 3,000 to 4,000 employees since before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he pointed out the strain of smaller profit margins and the ongoing struggle to meet customer needs due to inadequate staffing. Kelley feels the union has not presented staffing proposals that could help bridge the gap during negotiations, further complicating the situation as the strike looms. The strike is expected to last for two weeks and will primarily affect grocery stores located in the Denver metropolitan area. King Soopers has already introduced adjusted operating hours for the impacted stores, which will now be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while pharmacies will have revised hours as well. Notably, several King Soopers locations in other towns, such as Bennett and Colorado Springs, are not affected by the strike, ensuring that some services remain available to the community. In summary, the impending strike highlights the critical issues facing grocery workers in Colorado as they advocate for better wages and improved working conditions amidst a challenging economic climate. The negotiations have reached an impasse, and both sides appear to be entrenched in their positions, leaving employees with limited options but to take to the picket lines in pursuit of their demands.