DENVER (KDVR) — King Soopers has formally requested that UFCW Local 7, the union representing picketing employees, enter into an agreement with the grocery chain.

Union members at 77 Denver metro area King Soopers went on strike last Thursday after months of failed negotiations and alleged unfair labor practices.

Since then, King Soopers filed for a temporary restraining order against the union, most of which was rejected though parts were ordered, as well as a lawsuit accusing the union of unlawful negotiation practices.

On Saturday, King Soopers announced that it has invited the union to return to the negotiation table and enter an agreement that “would allow both parties to focus on reaching a new contract without the ongoing uncertainty associated with work stoppages.”

King Soopers asks union to negotiate

The grocery chain is asking the union to return to the negotiation table and is asking employees to return to work while both parties reach a new contract.

King Soopers said it is “ready to reach an agreement” despite giving their “last, best and final offer” in January, but said the union has not indicated that it wants to return to the bargaining table.

“Without the Union’s firm commitment to bargain without continued uncertainty and disruptions, King Soopers must consider other potential options geared toward the end of promptly reaching a fair agreement — one that provides excellent wages and benefits, protects the long-term stability of our business and the livelihoods of our associates, and keeps grocery prices affordable,” the grocery chain said.

The union previously said the grocery chain’s complaints are an attempt to distract, silence and intimidate grocery store workers for exercising their right to fight against unfair labor practices.

King Soopers president Joe Kelley said, “Let’s be clear—this work stoppage has never been about wages, healthcare, or pensions. Instead, the Union is using unsubstantiated unfair labor practice claims as a tactic to create unnecessary disruption and uncertainty. Our associates deserve stability, and our customers rely on us for affordable groceries—not ongoing turmoil.”

King Soopers said its priority is to reach an agreement that provides both fair wages and affordable groceries and urged the union to return to negotiations.

Union responds

UFCW Local 7 president Kim Cordova responded with a letter saying that the union does want to negotiate but said productive discussion is not possible without the company providing information that the union has been requesting for five months. The union said King Soopers refuses to do so.

Cordova said in part in a statement on Saturday:

Instead of seriously engaging with workers on these proposals, King Soopers and City Market have responded with pre-printed proposals out of a Kroger-designed union busting playbook to strip away seniority-based scheduling, slash overtime benefits, steal more than $25 million from workers and retirees’ health care trust funds in order to pay for wage increases, stifle the ability of workers to take concerted action, and stymie future negotiations through unacceptable proposals on pension and the length of an agreement. Indeed, instead of being interested in reaching an agreement, the Company seems hell bent on reaching an impasse in negotiations and unlawfully implementing these concessionary proposals. These actions have been compounded by the Company’s filing of frivolous litigation and seeking restraining orders to silence workers and take away their access to heat on the picket lines.

UFCW Local 7 president Kim Cordova

Cordova went on to say while King Soopers’ letter indicates a desire to return to negotiating, “these words ring hollow without an agreement to cure the unfair labor practices that got us here.”

Cordova said the company’s Vice President Kris Albi publicly promised that they would produce the requested sales data and asked for a non-disclosure agreement, which she accommodated. However, she said the company never responded to that proposed non-disclosure agreement.

She said Vice President Mike Johnson also promised several days ago that the company would produce the requested information immediately but said that never came to fruition.

Cordova emphasized that in order for union members to return to work, King Soopers must “cease its conduct in this regard so productive negotiations can follow.” She said she proposed an agreement that would allow a peaceful return to work and the negotiation table along with a cure for the unfair labor practices.

She added that if an agreement is not met, workers in the Pueblo meat bargaining unit will commence an unfair labor practice strike at 6 a.m. Sunday.