Safeway and Albertsons union members vote to strike

(COLORADO) — Safeway and Albertsons union members voted to strike in several locations across Colorado, including Pueblo, Fountain, and Salida, and more locations in the Front Range are expected to vote over the next several days.

According to the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 7, on Saturday, May 31, workers in Vail, Fort Morgan, Pueblo, and Grand Junction voted in favor of an Unfair Labor Practices (ULP) strike against the grocery chain, with 100% of the votes from Vail and Fort Morgan being in favor, 100% of meat department employees from Pueblo, and 97% of retail employees voting in favor, and 87% of meat department and retail employees from Grand Junction.

On Sunday, Estes Park, Fountain, Salida, and Steamboat Springs voted to join the ULP strike, with all bringing in 100% votes in favor, except for the meat department of Steamboat Springs, which was 71% in favor, UFCW Local 7 reported.

The ULP strike is protesting against what UFCW Local 7 says are unfair practices, such as refusing to offer retroactive wage increases and benefit contributions, bypassing the union to deal directly with a worker regarding grievances, and covering up an illegal no-poaching agreement with Kroger during the 2022 King Soopers strike.

When asked about the ULP strikes, Albertsons Companies issued the following statement: “We remain committed to negotiating a contract that is fair to all parties, including our employees, and will continue to work to achieve that. The outcome of the strike authorization vote does not change anything related to this process.”

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