King Soopers sues striking workers, files restraining order
King Soopers filed a temporary restraining order against striking workers on Tuesday, Feb. 11 in the Denver District Court to "protect the well-being of everyone," according to a press release.
A statement from United Food and Commercial Workers Local Union 7 (UFCW 7) calls the order an attempt to "distract the public with lawfare" rather than "have an open and honest discussion."
"The fact that the Company is effectively suing its own workers is particularly galling," the Feb. 11 UFCW 7 release states. "Indeed, the Company’s suit literally complains that workers who are picketing in subzero weather are using portable heating devices."
The restraining order comes on the heels of the Friday, Feb. 7 lawsuit King Soopers filed against UFCW 7, claiming the union — currently organizing a 77-store strike across the Front Range — violated the National Labor Relations Act.
The lawsuit alleges the union has engaged in “a pattern of coercive, restraining, and threatening conduct with a purpose of forcing King Soopers to bargain with unions other than Local 7,” strong-arming the company into bargaining with labor unions representing non-King Soopers employees in California and Washington.
Dillon Companies, the plaintiff and parent company of King Soopers, points to statements made by out-of-state unions during initial negotiations in October 2024 as evidence.
“We’re gearing up for a fight in 2025 … Together, united, UFCW 3000, UFCW local 7, and Teamsters local [38] will coordinate proposals and actions to show Kroger and Albertsons that again in 2025, when we stand together, we win,” a statement from Des Moines, Washington-based UFCW 3000 says.
UFCW 3000 and Teamsters Local 38 in Everett, Washington, represent workers at Safeway and Albertsons.
In a Feb. 7 press release, UFCW calls the move a “frivolous lawsuit” denying claims that it is “forcing” the company to bargain with outside unions, saying that it’s common practice that King Soopers “invites its competitors, Safeway/Albertsons, to sit at its table for bargaining and to join its private caucus time.”
While the litigation ensues, another group of UFCW Local 7 worker contracts are set to expire on Feb. 15. Stores in Longmont, Loveland and Fort Collins may vote the following week to join the other Front Range strikers.
“A large part of me doubts that Longmont will reach that point before the Denver side settles its issues, but there’s strong solidarity with Denver if it comes to it,” a Longmont King Soopers worker and Local UFCW 7 member told Boulder Weekly in January. The worker wished to remain unnamed so as not to jeopardize their employment.
County to sell North Broadway Complex
Boulder County will sell its North Broadway Complex, according to a Feb. 4 press release. The announcement comes after the county’s purchase of a building located at 2525 28th St. for $14.2 million in Dec. 2024.
“After careful consideration, Boulder County will not pursue continued ownership and redevelopment of the North Broadway Complex, focusing instead on advancing operations at the new Boulder Hub location,” the press release said. The transition of services is expected to take over a year.
The facility at 1333 Iris Ave. currently houses Workforce Boulder County, which offers job, financial planning and recruitment services to residents and businesses.
According to county estimates, the move will reduce the Boulder-based office’s footprint by 17%,slash operational costs by $15 million and reduce energy costs by $1.7 million over the next eight years.
The sale may impact the baseball fields west of the county complex. Officials from North Boulder Little League confirmed via email they will be able to use the fields through 2025; a memorandum of understanding with the county governs access.
It is still unclear who the potential buyer of the facility will be, but the county sees “significant opportunity for reuse” for the Iris Ave. location because of its access to transit and existing infrastructure.
There will be input opportunities for community members wishing to share their perspective on potential reuse during the 2025 Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan update process as early as this spring.