Colorado Kroger/King Sooper workers went on strike this morning in the Denver area around 70 locations. The number of stores and areas will grow over the next three weeks. This is an Unfair Labor Practice Strike where the workers voted on Jan 2-3rd by a 98-100% vote to strike for three weeks because Kroger was engaged in bad faith bargaining. Labor Laws allow for a ULP strike to take place on the front sidewalk and it also requires Kroger to return the striking workers to their job after the date targeted (three weeks) is up. This is not an economic strike, which has different rules/options etc. In a ULP strike the company can bring in scabs to work, but they cannot permanently replace the workers once the strike date is up. By the way, scabs with no customers only help the workers. Don’t ever be a scab.
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The parties met today and exchanged a few counter proposals, although nothing was agreed to. The Company maintains their position to increase hours during a holiday week by moving overtime from 32 hours to 40 hours. This is a concession and more money for the Company! No way, the workers are the ones that need the gains. The parties will not meet again till Jan 14th, because Kroger is concerned about the ULP strike vote taking place in Colorado and their contract expiring Jan 8, 2022. (Click here to see the proposals exchanged today)
The parties met today with no progress to report. Your committee once again stressed the dangers and concerns of working in a drug and crime epidemic. The Company remains resistant to addressing safety concerns with live trained personnel. They want cameras and locking gates and understand the dangers facing employees and customers walking into these stores but don’t like spending money to address these dangers The parties are set to meet again on Jan 13,2021. (Click here to see the proposals exchanged today)
The parties met for both retail and meat negotiations on successive days. The Union presented the employees’ demands and stressing that with the financial success of Kroger, and their hard work during the Pandemic all of their proposals are acceptable. The Company proposal contains worker concessions resulting in more work and less pay, and split shifts to use for their scheduling problems. Kroger is seeking to expand Baggers and Vendors while also reducing overtime. In addition, a strong anti-worker proposal to delete and deteriorate your contract in future years by deleting the Union Security and dues check off language is beyond dangerous.
In an effort to disguise some of this dangerous language, Smith's has "summarized" both the meat and retail proposals here. We have taken the liberty of highlighting in orange boxes the reality. Smith's "Summary" of Retail Proposal - Dec 7th Smith's "Summary" of Meat Proposal - Dec 8th The bargaining parties first dates to meet and exchange proposed changes is December 7 & 8. We know how important these negotiations are to you, and they should be, because you have carried the customer and profited Smith’s through these tough times.
Essential workers are still making it happen and every customer knows this too. Please know your Union is prepared and your Negotiating committee made up of Smith’s employees is in place. We had requested to kick things off on November 29, 2021 a full 60 days prior to expiration, but they were not willing to meet. We asked Smith’s to bring their first proposal to these meetings so both sides can present and receive the desired changes. This is very reasonable and easy to do in a short amount of time with retail one day and meat the next. They indicated they would consider that. |
Greg FrazierUFCW1564 President |