(COLORADO) — According to King Soopers and the UFCW Local 7 union, negotiations over the Valentine’s Day weekend stalled, though both are citing different reasons for the break down in communication.

According to King Soopers, the company requested a peaceful relations agreement, which would potentially stop picketing activities while the union and the company resumed negotiations. However, the UFCW Local 7 union said that King Soopers was “still withholding the necessary information that the union member bargaining team needs.”

The union alleged that the company’s executives had backtracked on commitments they made in order for a return to the bargaining table, and therefore talks had stalled.

King Soopers stated in a press release that the union had rejected its peaceful relations proposal, and suggested that workers could soon see a loss of healthcare coverage due to insufficient hours worked.

“We are deeply concerned about the consequences this decision will have on our associates, who could lose their healthcare and the certainty of a paycheck as a result of continued
disruptions,” said Joe Kelley, President of King Soopers/City Market. “Rather than working toward a resolution that benefits our associates and customers, the Union is making unreasonable demands that only serve to delay progress, create uncertainty, and, critically, put our hardworking associates at risk of losing their healthcare.”

The UFCW Local 7 union assured workers that it was working to ensure healthcare for its members for April.

“We had hopes that the past 24 hours might have led to a breakthrough, but that did not take place,” said Kim Cordova, President of UFCW Local 7. “For now, the strike will continue, and we will remain strong and show solidarity with each other and stand up to the bullying tactics of King Soopers.”

Stores in northern Colorado as well as Pueblo are currently on strike, though Colorado Springs stores have not yet been included in the strike.