Front Range King Soopers workers overwhelmingly rejected a contract offered by the grocer Wednesday and agreed to return to the bargaining table.
Grocery workers in Broomfield, Pueblo, Loveland and Greeley voted unanimously against the proposal. In Fort Collins, 97 percent opposed it. In Denver, 92 percent were against, and in Colorado Springs, 91 percent. The voting took three days.
At issue for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 are wages and the way pensions are calculated.
“This was not a last, best final offer,” Laura Chapin, a spokeswoman for the union, said after the votes were tallied.
The union said the grocery chain’s rejected offer included up to $400,000 in overall pension cuts, wage freezes for most workers and reduced health benefits.
“We’re very disappointed, but we look forward to getting back to the table and coming to a resolution as quickly as possible,” King Soopers spokeswoman Diane Mulligan said.
King Soopers employees have been working without a contract since May 30. The grocer has about 9,000 union workers in Colorado.
Mulligan said the rejected proposal included wage increases for baggers and workers who have reached the top of the pay scale; a health care rate of $60 a month for families of part-time workers after one year of service; and reductions in how pension benefits are accrued. It also raised the retirement age to 55 from 50.
The union points to recent profits by King Soopers’ parent Kroger and says the company can afford to give wage increases and should not be reducing pensions or other benefits.
“The workers feel they need to be given a fair deal, in light of the company profits,” Chapin said.
Safeway and Albertsons workers also have been in negotiations. Safeway’s contract was extended until June 26. Albertsons’ contract has expired, and employees are working without one.
Staff writer Joey Bunch contributed to this report.
Elizabeth Aguilera: 303-954-1372 or eaguilera@denverpost.com
