King Soopers Workers Strike Across Denver Area Amid Labor Dispute

King Soopers has filed a federal lawsuit against UFCW Local 7, accusing the union of unlawfully pressuring the company to negotiate with outside labor organizations, coinciding with a strike initiated by grocery workers in the Denver metro area. The union argues that the lawsuit is a distraction from King Soopers' alleged failure to negotiate in good faith regarding issues like staffing and healthcare. As the strike, which involves thousands of workers, commenced just before Super Bowl weekend, the union is encouraging customers to shop elsewhere, particularly at Safeway. The strike is currently set to last two weeks, with the possibility of extension if no agreement is reached. Workers in Pueblo have already joined the picket lines, while those in Colorado Springs may strike once their contracts expire. The union's strategy aims to leverage the timing of high shopping demand around major holidays to exert pressure on the company.