Colorado Grocery Workers Vote to Authorize “ULP” Strike in Colorado Springs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2025
CONTACT: Monique Palacios
mpalacios@ufcw7.com | 303-425-0897 ext. 403
Colorado Springs, CO –Union grocery store workers for Kroger-owned King Soopers stores in Colorado Springs were deciding whether or not to approve an Unfair Labor Practice strike, and the results are clear. Workers voted overwhelmingly to approve a strike and authorize UFCW Local 7 leadership to call the Unfair Labor Practice strike. The exact times, dates and locations of the strikes will be determined later and will be announced to workers and the public in advance of any strike.
The Colorado Springs Retail Bargaining Unit voted to strike by 96% percent. 98% of workers in the Colorado Springs Meat Bargaining unit voted to strike. Workers in Colorado Springs join the UFCW Local 7-represented colleagues in Boulder, Broomfield, Metro Denver, and Parker who forcefully authorized a strike with their votes on January 29 and 30.
As David Burciago said, “The workers in Colorado Springs saw how the Company reacted to the Denver area strike votes. Rather than listen to the workers, the Company has continued its Unfair Labor Practices. We are tired of watching the Company gouge our customers because of chronic understaffing in the stores, while the Company disrespects the workers who stay despite the hostile labor conditions. I am encouraged by my coworkers’ strength and unity in our votes today. As a 44-year union member, I am proud to stand up to the Company on behalf of Colorado Springs. I hope that this vote ends the Company’s unfair labor practices and forces the Company to take our concerns seriously.”
UFCW Local 7 represents 23,000 union grocery store workers across Colorado. 12,000 of those workers are employed at King Soopers and City Market stores. The timing of any strike and locations for where a strike would occur will be announced at a later date.
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Local 7, the largest Union in Colorado, is affiliated with United Food and Commercial Workers International Union which represents over 1.3 million workers in the United States and Canada, and is one of the largest private-sector Unions in North America. UFCW members work in a wide range of industries, including retail food, food processing, agriculture, retail sales, and health care.