Members of UFCW Local 7 who work at King Soopers (Kroger) stores in Colorado ratified a new contract in January, ending a 10-day strike. The contract covers over 8,000 members at 78 King Soopers stores in the metro Denver area, as well as Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Grand Junction, and northern Colorado.
These members, who ratified the three-year contract by an overwhelming margin, went on strike on Jan. 12 over the company’s unfair labor practices. Their effort to secure a better contract was supported by UFCW locals across the country, which sent staff members to Colorado support these hard-working men and women.
The new three-year contract ensures that these essential workers are respected and protected in the workplace and includes significant wage increases. Members who are long-standing employees will now receive first-year wage increases and some members will receive wage increases in excess of $5.00 per hour.
UFCW Local 7 also successfully negotiated better health care and protected pension benefits for its members, along with more stringent safety measures in the workplace to protect employees and customers. This contract also creates new paths to full-time employment opportunities for King Soopers and City Market workers. City Market is a separate bargaining unit, and UFCW Local 7 negotiated the same terms for them simultaneously with King Soopers.
“From the beginning of this process, we promised our members that we would procure the very best contract we could,” said UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova. “We are excited that our members voted overwhelmingly to ratify this industry-leading contract that will ensure King Soopers will respect and protect essential workers, as well as pay them fairly.”
“Getting here has been arduous,” Cordova added. “Full credit goes to the bargaining committee and workers who made their voices heard through negotiating, standing united at the picket line, or sharing their stories with the media. This fight was always about them, and now they have a contract they deserve and can be proud of. This would not have been possible without the support of our allies throughout Colorado and across the country. To those who stood alongside our members, honored the picket line, and showed up in solidarity, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”