Workers at Safeway and Albertsons locations in four Colorado bargaining units have gone on strike, citing unfair labor practices, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 union. The walkout began June 15th and involves employees in Estes Park, Fountain, Pueblo, and the Safeway Distribution Center in Denver.
The strike follows months of contentious contract negotiations and a strike authorization vote earlier this month, in which 99% of union members in Denver voted in favor—along with unanimous support from several other cities.
According to UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova, this strike is about standing up to the company’s continued pattern of unfair labor practices. “Members have had enough of Safeway/Albertsons numerous unfair labor practices, including threatening workers, making unilateral changes to the contract, and steadfastly refusing to honor its agreement to provide retroactive wage increases and benefit contributions,” she said.
Cordova also warned that the labor action could expand to additional stores across Colorado, including those in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont, and Loveland.
In a statement issued earlier this month, Albertsons, which owns the Safeway banner, said it remains committed to working with the union.
“We respect the rights of workers to engage in collective bargaining and are negotiating in good faith to achieve an agreement,” the company stated. “Our focus remains on providing exceptional service to our customers and fostering a positive working environment for our associates. All Safeway and Albertsons stores in Colorado are open and ready to continue serving our communities.”
Cordova said the union had offered the company a path to avoid a strike by fully funding healthcare benefits, but the proposal was rejected.
With the situation escalating, union leaders say more workers could soon join the walkout if a resolution is not reached.
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