DENVER—Locked in a tense labor dispute, the King Soopers grocery chain asked a federal judge Thursday to block a union from sending representatives into stores to talk to employees while they’re working.
The hearing came one day after workers overwhelmingly rejected the chain’s latest contract offer.
A King Soopers labor relations manager and two store managers testified that loud groups of union representatives wearing black T-shirts have been disrupting business and trying to talk to employees during work about contract negotiations and other issues.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 contends it has a right to inform members of contract negotiations. Several union representatives testified Thursday that they have talked to employees on the job before with no complaints from King Soopers store managers.
King Soopers countered that the union has a hot line, Web site and other methods of communicating with members.
The union urged U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn to let the National Labor Relations Board handle the dispute.
Blackburn did not indicate when he would rule.
Local 7 represents thousands of King Soopers workers seeking a new contract to replace one that expired May 9.
The union and King Soopers, part of Cincinnati-based Kroger Co., disagree on raises, pension benefits and a two-tier system that offers fewer benefits to newer employees.
On Wednesday, the union announced that King Soopers workers along Colorado’s Front Range voted by a 9-to-1 ratio to reject the chain’s latest offer for a 5-year contract and to reopen negotiations.
The vote included workers in the Denver area, Colorado Springs, Longmont, Boulder and Pueblo. Employees in the store’s meat departments in Greeley and Fort Collins also voted.
Voting took place Monday through Wednesday.
