King Soopers’ union workers ratify new deal that boosts wages

After a contentious negotiation and threat of a strike, union workers for King Soopers have finally approved a new contract with Colorado’s dominant grocery chain.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 announced Thursday night that 12,200 union members who work for King Soopers and sister chain City Market voted to approve the deal that was struck in the last week of March after months of negotiating and public posturing.

The deal will bring about “solid wages increases for all workers” at King Soopers and City Market stores, stable health care costs for the three-year deal and a litany of other positives for employees, the union said in March.

In Thursday’s news release, the UFCW said workers at Albertsons and Safeway stores also approved a new contract with their company. Negotiations with that grocery group were far less tense than those conducted between the UCFW and Kroger-owned King Soopers.

In total, more than 20,000 union workers in Colorado and parts of Wyoming cast votes on the two deals, according to the UFCW.

Eighty-five separate voting sessions were held in Colorado between April 4 and Thursday.

Membership supported the deals “overwhelmingly,” according to the union, though a spokesman for UFCW declined to provide specific numbers.

“Strong customer service is what made these companies successful, and we are pleased this contract invests in the workers who proudly serve our communities every day,” UFCW Local 7 president Kim Cordova said in Thursday’s news release. “Together, our new contracts will provide pay raises for every worker, good health care and retirement benefits, and a safer workplace.”

King Soopers was succinct in its response to Thursday’s outcome.

“King Soopers/City Market and UFCW Local 7 have reached an agreement and the members have ratified it. This is good news for our associates, customers and communities,” company spokesman Adam Williamson said in an email.