(COLORADO) — King Soopers is seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) in order to “protect the well-being of everyone” during an unfair labor practice strike that began in February.

Workers in Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties went on strike on Thursday, Feb. 6, and workers in Pueblo joined the strike on Friday.

While King Soopers said it respects its associates’ right to engage in lawful and peaceful strikes, it cited “recent picketing activities” as having created unsafe conditions:

“The safety of our associates, customers, and community members is our top priority,” said Joe Kelley, division president of King Soopers. “For the more than 50% of customers who continue to depend on us for access to fresh food, essentials and prescriptions from our pharmacies we have a responsibility to ensure they can safely access our stores. At the same time, we want to provide a safe environment for those participating in the work stoppage. We know the only place this work stoppage is resolved is at the bargaining table and remain open to meeting with the UFCW Local 7.”

The UFCW Local 7 union responded on X (formerly Twitter), arguing that King Soopers is attempting to silence its own workers by “asking a court to stop striking workers from doing what striking workers do: Picketing in front of their workplaces.” King Soopers also filed a lawsuit against UFCW Local 7, accusing the union of forcing the supermarket chain to bargain with labor unions that are out of state.

“Coming only days after King Soopers filed a frivolous lawsuit against the UFCW Local 7 for ‘forcing’ the company to bargain with other unions – this TRO represents nothing more than another attempt to silence and intimidate 10,000 grocery store workers for exercising their rights to fight for better staffing, better health care, and more safety and against the Company’s Unfair Labor Practices,” the union said in its statement.

King Soopers reiterated that it is dedicated to good-faith negotiations and encourages continued dialogue, while the union said it will not be intimidated.

“We were on the strike lines today, and we will be on the strike lines tomorrow, and we continue to urge King Soopers to stop these unfair labor practices,” said Kim Cordova, UFCW Local 7 President.