Workers at King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado have ratified a new contract that raises wages and improves retirement and health-care benefits.
Kroger Co., the Ohio-based parent company of both grocery chains, on Friday announced the approval of the new collective bargaining agreements with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7.
The agreements, the result of three months of negotiations, cover more than 10,000 employees in 103 stores, 36 fuel centers and 78 pharmacies in Colorado, including in Denver, Boulder, Broomfield, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Longmont, Parker and Pueblo.
“We are pleased to reach agreements that are good for our associates,” King Soopers president Russ Dispense said in a statement. “These new contracts provide wage increases, affordable health care and ongoing investment in our associates’ pension fund to support their retirement.”
UFCW Local 7 leadership called the 40-month contract ” ,” in an official union notice on its website.
The new King Soopers contract will increase wages for deli, bakery, cheese and Starbucks workers to $10.50 per hour for entry-level employees and $16.69 for experienced workers.
Both sides also agreed to a one-time audit to create more full-time positions, and to more holidays and sick pay accumulation for workers hired after March 2005.
Albertsons employees in Colorado and Rock Springs, Wyo., recently ratified new labor agreements, as well. Safeway workers in Colorado will conclude voting next week, according to UFCW.
“Maintaining our health plan coverage with no additional costs to our members while also improving retirement benefits and increasing wages is a true testament to the strength and determination of our negotiating committee and our membership,” UFCW Local 7 president Kim Cordova said in a release.
Emilie Rusch: 303-954-2457, erusch@denverpost.com or @emilierusch
