Safeway Workers Strike Expands Across Six Colorado Cities

Unionized Safeway and Albertsons workers in Colorado have launched a growing strike over understaffing, inadequate wage increases, and insufficient health benefits after nine months of unsuccessful contract negotiations. Starting June 15, employees at locations including Estes Park, Fountain, Pueblo, Denver, Castle Rock, and Littleton began picketing, with the strike expected to expand to more cities as union leaders continue negotiations. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, representing roughly 7,000 workers, rejected the latest contract offer, citing failure to meet key demands such as livable wages and protection of health and pension benefits. This strike could become the second-largest labor strike of 2025 in Colorado, following a large King Soopers and City Market strike earlier in the year. The union has staged a gradual rollout of strikes to raise public awareness of worker grievances and build support for their cause. Many more locations remain prepared to strike, with over 98% of union members authorizing the action, signaling a prolonged labor dispute until an agreement is reached.