DENVER (KDVR) — A judge partially rejected and partially approved King Soopers’ request for a temporary restraining order against picketing union members.
Earlier this week, King Soopers filed for a temporary restraining order against picketing union workers represented by UFCW Local 7, who went on an unfair labor practice strike last Thursday after months of failed negotiations.
King Soopers accused picketers of harassing customers and interfering with business, and the union said the filing was an attempt to silence members of the union.
The grocery chain requested that a court issue an order restricting where picketers could march and restricting them from blocking access for customers, workers and deliveries. The grocery chain also requested that the court restrict picketers from setting up or operating any portable heating device on the premises, among other requests.
On Friday, a Denver judge rejected many of the requests but did issue some items in the temporary restraining order. According to a press release from the union, the judge ordered that picketers cannot:
Physically block delivery trucks
Erect temporary structures like tents or canopies
Place piles of trash on sidewalks impeding pedestrian access
“The overwhelming majority of King Soopers’ requests were denied. According to the Court, King Soopers asked for a sweeping injunction to severely limit our picketing activity – describing the request as seeking – in short – to restrict any picketing activity the Company finds inconvenient and distracting. The Court soundly rejected these requests,” UFCW Local 7 said in the press release.
In a statement, King Soopers said the approved requests were “critical items that prioritize safety.”
“Regrettably, we’ve seen more than 300 instances of picketers making choices that compromise safety over the last 9 days. We appreciate the court’s decision to grant critical elements of our temporary restraining order, that supports our commitment to safety for everyone,” said Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers said. “To be clear, the decision to seek a temporary restraining order was not made lightly and is certainly not intended to silence associates. We’ve said from the beginning that we respect our associates’ right to peacefully assemble. However, it is crucial that we maintain an environment of mutual respect.”
The union said King Soopers’ filing for a restraining order, as well as their lawsuit filed accusing the union of unlawful bargaining practices, are distractions and “cowardly and unsuccessful attempts to intimidate, surveil, and otherwise silence workers.”
The union said members will continue to picket.
“We are hopeful that the company will finally get the basic messages we have been telling them since October – get serious with bargaining, stop the unfair labor practices, and address the goals of the bargain that would solve the staffing crisis that impacts workers as well as shoppers,” the union said.
