WATCH: Union provides update on planned strike for King Soopers employees in Colorado

DENVER (KKTV) - King Soopers responded to the UFCW Local 7 chapter on Monday after they planned a strike for this week.

Watch the update provided by union leaders and employees at the top of this article. They spoke to the public Monday afternoon.

The following letter was sent from King Soopers to the public on Monday as they announced they were filing unfair labor practice charges.

“After three days of refusing repeated requests to return to the negotiating table, Local 7′s Kim Cordova has now rejected a reasonable request for mediation to work together toward a contract that will put more money in our associates’ pockets,” said Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers/City Market. “If Local 7 does not want to negotiate then they should at least have the decency to allow our associates to vote on the current proposal. Our associates should be treated fairly and transparently and should have the opportunity to decide what is best for them and their families. Right now, Local 7 is using our associates’ livelihoods as pawns in their political gamesmanship.”

The following was sent from UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova on Friday. This statement represents approximately 17,000 Essential Grocery workers from Kroger/King Soopers.

“UFCW Local 7 members who work at King Soopers have had enough of the Company’s unfair labor practices and will strike starting January 12. This is a direct result of the Company’s bad faith at the bargaining table.

“King Soopers is enjoying record profits while leaving its workers to struggle with low wages. Grocery workers ensure that our communities have access to food, but they cannot even afford to feed their own families. This is grossly unfair. King Soopers has chosen to enrich its bottom line, instead of protecting workers who have risked their lives on the front lines.

“Our plea remains the same: Stop these unfair labor practices, and respect us, protect us and pay us what we deserve. UFCW Local 7 members will remain on strike until the company agrees to cease these unfair labor practices and comes to the negotiating table in good faith. During this strike, we ask for the support of our community. We are grateful for all the overwhelming support received and for the individuals, union partners, organizations that will be coming to Colorado to support our efforts and fight. We will continue to be relentless in the fight for our members.”

King Soopers also provided the following fact sheet to 11 News:

Page 1 of King Soopers City Market Fact Sheet January 2022 v2

Contributed to DocumentCloud by Anthony Keith (KKTV) • View document or read text

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