"‘We have people living out of their cars’: 8,000 Kroger workers strike over wages", 13 January 2021

More than 8,000 workers at nearly 80 Kroger-owned King Soopers grocery stores around Colorado started a three-week strike...as new union contract negotiations stalled...

Union members voted nearly unanimously to authorize the strike over unfair labor practices against Kroger, as the company’s last, best and final offer included several concessions such as permitting the company to lower wages, use non-union gig workers, shortening leave of absence periods, relying on a part-time workforce, and offering only a $0.13 wage increase for some workers.

Workers have pushed for a $6-an-hour wage increase for all employees, while the final proposal only included wage increases up to $4.50 an hour based on job classification and tenure, with a $16-an-hour floor, just $0.13 higher than minimum wage in Denver...

Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7, said the unfair labor practice charges the union filed against Kroger included refusal to furnish information necessary for bargaining over issues such as safety, and the company directly contacting workers and threatening to discipline or send home workers from wearing anything that identifies them as a union supporter...

In a press release, the Kroger-owned King Soopers and City Market president, Joe Kelley, criticized the strike and filed unfair labor practice claims against the union after the union had filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board.

“It’s time for Kim Cordova to put our associates, her members, first instead of denying them the opportunity to vote on this unprecedented investment. Creating more disruption for our associates, their families, and Coloradans rather than negotiating for a peaceful resolution is irresponsible and undemocratic,” Kelley said.