Safeway and Albertsons negotiations end again, walkouts continue
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 announced on Thursday night that they have rejected another offer from the parent company of Safeway and Albertsons. As a result, they plan to expand their current six-day strike to additional cities in Colorado.
Negotiations took place from Tuesday to Thursday this week, but despite numerous proposals being exchanged, the union stated that the company was not willing to offer an agreement that meets the needs of the workers.
Due to this, negotiations have been suspended for the week, and more stores will be joining the strike in the upcoming days. The specific locations of these additional walkouts have not been disclosed at this time.
Since the start of the strike, walkouts have taken place at various stores in different cities such as Fountain, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Brighton, Estes Park, Grand Junction, Lone Tree, Littleton, and a Denver distribution center.
UFCW Local 7 posted on their Facebook page, urging members to be prepared as more stores could be called to strike at any moment. The union emphasized the importance of showing the company that workers will not accept an unsatisfactory contract.
At present, there are no scheduled dates for future negotiations, according to the union.
The strike began at 6 a.m. on Sunday after the company allegedly failed to address crucial demands regarding staffing levels, wages, and the protection of workers’ health and pension benefits.
Despite a contract extension earlier in January and strike authorization votes in May and June, an agreement could not be reached between the parties.
UFCW Local 7 represents a significant number of members in Colorado and Wyoming across various industries including grocery stores, packing houses, food processing plants, barbers, cosmetologists, cannabis, counselors, and health care facilities.
Please note that this is an evolving situation and updates may follow.
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