Press Release: King Soopers Remains Open for Business

While Respecting Their Associates Right to Collectively Bargain and Choose What’s Best for Them and Their Families

Denver, CO (January 31, 2025) – King Soopers, Colorado’s hometown grocer, reaffirms its commitment to keeping their doors open to serve the community, amidst ongoing negotiations with UFCW Local 7. The Company respects its associates’ right to collectively bargain and choose what is best for them and their families, while also fulfilling its responsibility to serve their customers with fresh food, essentials and pharmacy services.

“While we respect our associates’ rights to participate in a work stoppage, any associate who chooses to continue to work is welcome,” said Joe Kelley, President of King Soopers.  “We believe our associates would be better served if the Union worked with us to reach an agreement that would not risk leaving our associates without a paycheck. We remain open to continuing to meet with the Union to reach a resolution.”

While disappointed by the outcome of Local 7 obtaining strike authorization, King Soopers remains committed to its primary focus of increasing associates’ paychecks while keeping groceries affordable for customers.

The National Labor Relations Board has not determined King Soopers has committed an Unfair Labor Practice during these negotiations. The Company holds itself to the highest ethical standard and is confident that the Union’s allegations of Unfair Labor Practices are unfounded. Additionally, the Company believes that the Union’s move to seek a Strike Vote Authorization is premature, given they have not allowed associates to vote on the Company’s Last, Best and Final Offer. The offer includes significant wages investments, along with industry-leading healthcare and a secure pension.

“A strike is the last thing we want for our people and our communities. We know all too well that nobody wins in a strike, and we would like to be able to reach a peaceful resolution that rewards our associates without the unnecessary disruption,” continued Kelley. “Regrettably, it appears that the Union does not share the same sentiment.”

King Soopers has been committed to negotiating in good faith with Local 7 since October. Unfortunately, the Union still has failed to put forward a single wage proposal, forcing the Company to bargain against themselves – an issue that led to King Soopers filing an Unfair Labor Practice Charge against the Union on December 19, 2024.

In order for King Soopers to effectively serve the community in the event of a work stoppage, the Company is hiring temporary workers to staff its stores if necessary. To be clear, King Soopers values their hard-working associates, and these temporary workers are NOT replacement workers as nobody can replace the Company’s dedicated staff, however, the Company has an obligation to the community to keep their stores open.

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 23,000 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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