Grocer hiring temp workers, strike grows to 40 stores

Contract discussions between United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 and Albertsons, the parent company of Safeway, hit a standstill over the weekend, prolonging a strike that has exceeded two weeks.

Meanwhile, the union is gearing up for negotiations with King Soopers and City Market set to begin on Tuesday.

According to a social media post by UFCW Local 7 on June 28, “Despite the union’s sincere efforts to reach a resolution, the company opted to walk away from the bargaining table – opting to prolong the strike instead of reaching a new contract.”

The post also mentioned, “Safeway continues to align with King Soopers and allow King Soopers to take the lead, rather than taking the initiative to lead the industry.”

In response, Safeway is recruiting temporary employees for various positions, including customer service, stocking, cleaning, and cashiering, as mentioned by the company.

Heather Halpape, communications and public affairs manager for Safeway’s Denver Division, provided a statement to The Post over the weekend, expressing the company’s commitment to engaging in productive discussions with UFCW Local 7. The statement highlighted a “robust offer that includes substantial wage increases, ongoing investment in reliable healthcare coverage, and the long-term sustainability of the pension plan.”

The statement also mentioned that Safeway is open to returning to negotiations.

All Safeway stores in Colorado will continue operating, but locations impacted by the strike will have adjusted hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with pharmacies maintaining regular hours.

Currently, there are no scheduled discussions with Safeway, but union representatives will resume negotiations with King Soopers and City Market on July 1 and 2.

In February, around 10,000 King Soopers employees engaged in strikes at 77 stores across several counties in Colorado. The 12-day strike concluded with a temporary agreement between King Soopers and union leaders, pausing the labor dispute for 100 days.

Although the peace period was extended until June 8, it was announced this month that no new agreements were reached.

“Our team is dedicated to finding a solution that acknowledges the hard work of our employees and maintains affordable groceries,” stated a spokesperson for King Soopers in an email to The Post.

Union members are urging both companies to address critical demands such as improved staffing levels, livable wages, and safeguarding workers’ health and pension benefits.

The union has gradually rolled out the Safeway strike, with a list of affected stores provided by the union’s social media updates and press releases.

As of now, 37 of the 80+ Safeway locations listed on the union’s website have joined the strike, including 36 stores and one distribution center.

Strike locations span across Denver, Evergreen, Lakewood, Aurora, Estes Park, Longmont, Monument, Colorado Springs, Wheat Ridge, Highlands Ranch, Grand Junction, Lone Tree, Fort Collins, Boulder, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Fountain, Fort Morgan, Greeley, Brighton, and Littleton.

Colorado stores on strike

1. Safeway #10, 3851 S. Highway 74, Evergreen
2. Safeway #41, 13111 W. Alameda Pkwy., Lakewood
3. Safeway #244, 3800 W. 44th Ave., Denver
4. Safeway #344, 9160 W. Colfax, Lakewood
5. Safeway #841, 1200 S. Buckley Rd., Aurora
6. Safeway #920, 451 E Wonderview Ave., Estes Park
7. Safeway #1116, 1050 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont
8. Safeway #1248, 2660 Federal Blvd., Denver
9. Safeway #1267, 6460 E. Yale Ave., Denver
10. Safeway #1440, 624 Highway 105, Monument
11. Safeway #1463, 2150 S. Downing St., Denver
12. Safeway #1466, 1121 N. Circle Dr., Colorado Springs
13. Safeway #1479, 3900 Wadsworth Blvd., Wheat Ridge
14. Safeway #1480, 9255 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch
15. Safeway #1533, 2901 F Rd., Grand Junction
16. Safeway #1548, 9229 E. Lincoln Ave., Lone Tree
17. Safeway #1552, 1426 E. Harmony Rd, Fort Collins
18. Safeway #1599, 12442 West Ken Caryl Ave., Littleton
19. Safeway #1614, 560 Corona St., Denver
20. Safeway #1615, 3325 28th St., Boulder
21. Safeway #1760, 1017 N. Market Plaza, Pueblo West
22. Safeway #1873, 771 Thornton Pkwy., Denver
23. Safeway #1877, 880 S. Perry St., Castle Rock
24. Safeway #1928, 18730 East Hampden Ave., Aurora
25. Safeway #1975, 6925 Mesa Ridge Pkwy., Fountain
26. Safeway #2246, 757 E. 20th Ave., Denver
27. Safeway #2341, 620 W. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan
28. Safeway #2342, 11088 W. Jewell Ave., Lakewood
29. Safeway #2625, 681 Horizon Dr., Grand Junction
30. Safeway #2666, 4548 Centerplace Dr., Greeley
31. Safeway #2791, 181 W. Mineral Ave., Littleton
32. Safeway #2910, 1632 Hover Rd., Longmont
33. Safeway #2913, 2160 W. Drake Rd., Fort Collins
34. Safeway #2917, 1605 Bridge St., Brighton
35. Safeway #2918, 3526 W. 10th St., Greeley
36. Safeway #3729, 1231 S. Prairie Ave., Pueblo
37. Safeway Distribution Center, 4600 Stapleton Drive South, Denver