Press Release: King Soopers Responds to Strike

Local 7 refuses to actively bargain on wages and instead prematurely calls for a strike

DENVER – February 3, 2025 – Despite King Soopers urging UFCW Local 7 to give their members a voice by allowing them to vote on the Company’s Last Best and Final offer the Union has allowed the Company’s offer to expire, without providing a single counter wage proposal, and has once again chosen disruption and uncertainty by scheduling a work stoppage.

“We urge Local 7 to reconsider their approach and prioritize the best interests of our associates, their members, and the communities they serve. It is time to put aside their unreasonable demands, false rhetoric and headline seeking tactics and work towards a fair and timely resolution that increases associates pay while keeping groceries affordable,” said Joe Kelley, President of King Soopers. “We want to make a fair investment in our union associates and this work stoppage only further delays adding more money to their paychecks.”

This strike marks the second time in three years that Local 7 has used the vague umbrella of an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) strike to unnecessarily drag King Soopers associates to the picket line. A tactic clearly used to capture headlines, with little accountability when it comes to transparency around the reason for striking.

To be clear, King Soopers associates are not striking over wages. King Soopers has put multiple wage proposals forward, yet, the Union has not responded with a single wage proposal of their own. The Company remains committed to putting more money in associates’ paychecks while maintaining their industry leading benefit and pension plans – all while keeping groceries affordable for the communities they serve. Below are the details of the company’s Last Best and Final Offer that the Union has refused to allow more than 11,000 of its members to vote on:

  • Competitive Wages: Currently, the average hourly wage for a full-time associate at King Soopers is $22.68. When factoring in comprehensive health care and pension benefits, the total compensation equates to $29.48 per hour—far exceeding Colorado’s average hourly rate of $17.02 for cashiers, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Company’s LBFO builds on this strong compensation package.
  • Significant Wage Investments: The company’s Last Best and Final Offer includes a wage increase of up to 6% in the first year of the contract, ensuring continued financial growth for associates.
    • Top Rate Clerks, Department Heads, and Pharmacy Techs would see a $4.50 per hour increase over the contract’s four-year span, with a $1.50 per hour raise in Year 1 and $1.00 per hour increases in Years 2, 3, and 4.
  • Long-Term Investment: If ratified, the LBFO will invest up to 23% in wage increases over the life of the contract for its most tenured associates, reflecting a deep commitment to career growth and long-term stability.

The Company respects its associates’ rights to participate in a work stoppage. Any associate who chooses to continue to work is welcome to do so. However, the Company believes associates would be better served if the Union worked with the Company to reach an agreement that would not risk leaving associates without a paycheck, as the Company remains open to continuing to meet with the Union to reach a resolution.

For up-to-date information on King Soopers/City Market’s labor negotiations please visit kingsooperscba.com.

 

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About King Soopers/City Market
At King Soopers/City Market, a company of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are Fresh for Everyone™ and dedicated to our Purpose: To Feed the Human Spirit®. We are 23,600+ associates who serve customers daily through a seamless shopping experience throughout Colorado. We are committed to creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site.

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