King Soopers: Heavy Is the Crown That Strikes

In the wake of a failed merger and a crumbling monopoly strategy, 10,000 King Soopers workers have organized like a military unit to strike for fair treatment.

YET, all the store's doors remain wide open and profits continue to roll in.

I had the chance to speak with a striking worker at my local King Soopers #55. He shared startling details: despite rumors that only deli and produce employees were union members, he revealed that scabs were flown in from other states, complete with paid hotel stays and extra wages, leaving little room for genuine negotiations on fair pay.

He explained that his contract forced him to be on the picket line in the freezing cold, or risk not being paid, his new job duties to stand outside all day, in brutal snow and wind just to safeguard his income and risk losing house and home.

He claimed during the last round of negotiations, union leaders assumed the merger would go through, so discussions stalled, only to have the deal collapse and leave everyone worse off.

It was a pleasure speaking with this brave young man. He allowed me to snap a selfie and a photo, though he requested no video recordings out of respect. This hard-hitting, on-the-ground journalism goes beyond a simple fight for better wages and benefits—it exposes what appears to be systemic betrayal, mismanagement, or even outright corruption within the union leadership.

We see a stark reality: workers are not just demanding fair treatment, they are fighting back against a system that seems to have sold them out. The woman on the left expressed she was out here fighting for the benefits to afford basic medication and family support.

COLORED BY COLD AND CORPORATE GREED

In the dead of a brutal Colorado winter, nearly 10,000 King Soopers employees have taken to the streets, braving subzero temperatures to demand fair wages, affordable benefits, and dignified treatment. As these workers shiver on the picket lines, critics say that UFCW Local 7—supposedly the champions of their labor rights—has chosen comfort over confrontation.

A UNION THAT MISSES THE MARK

Under the leadership of President Kim Cordova, UFCW Local 7 represents 23,000 members across Colorado and Wyoming. However, when the strike began, a glaring disparity emerged between the union's public promise and its internal priorities. According to the 2022 Form LM-2 Labor Organization Annual Report, the union's expenditures were allocated as follows:

Critics argue that this disproportionate emphasis on administrative costs—essentially salaries, office expenses, and operational overhead—has left workers without adequate strike support such as heated shelters, legal aid, or direct financial relief.

Their actions don't just represent poor management—they undermine the very positions and livelihoods of their own members. In my view, this behavior borders on outright corruption, and even if we give them the benefit of the doubt, it can only be attributed to extreme negligence and mismanagement.

THE BILLION-DOLLAR CONTRADICTION

Meanwhile, King Soopers' parent company, Kroger, continues to thrive. Recent financial reports indicate:

If the company truly could not afford to pay its workers better, why is it willing to spend millions flying in out-of-state replacement workers and engage in expensive public relations campaigns—while its employees struggle with stagnant wages and poor benefits? The evidence suggests that profitability isn't the issue; it's a choice to prioritize executive and shareholder interests over the well-being of frontline workers.

THE STRIKE'S TIMING: A CALCULATED CRUELTY

The strike's scheduling raises further questions. Labor negotiations were delayed for months under the banner of an anticipated merger with Albertsons—a deal that ultimately collapsed in December 2024 after a federal judge ruled it violated antitrust laws. Critics contend that this postponement was a deliberate tactic by both Kroger and UFCW Local 7 to minimize pressure on the company while ensuring maximum hardship for workers by forcing them into protest in the midst of winter.

POTENTIAL LEGAL VIOLATIONS AND FRAUDULENT PRACTICES

The unfolding events have prompted serious legal questions regarding the union's responsibilities and the company's tactics. Among the allegations under consideration are:

A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

Workers deserve a union that champions their rights, not one that appears to prioritize bureaucratic comfort over active advocacy. The stark contrast between Kroger's soaring profits and the dire conditions faced by its employees has led many to demand:

Union members who believe these issues affect their rights should consider reaching out to local legal aid organizations, labor rights groups, or regulatory bodies such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for further guidance. Likewise, concerned citizens can engage by contacting their local representatives or supporting advocacy organizations dedicated to labor reform and corporate accountability.

Here's what some locals had to contribute on the matter

Community feedback from Denise about union leadership concerns

Union allegedly interrogating members and refusing contract information

Legal professionals discussing corporate practices and litigation costs

Community discussions about corporate accountability

Local residents sharing experiences about worker solidarity

Community members supporting striking workers

Local discussions about union leadership and worker rights

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We already witnessed a federal ruling striking down a merger over monopoly concerns of unchecked power and price setting and now I'm left to ask maybe that's not what they should be in court over arguing for more power and domination, I think better suited justifying these actions to a jury of their peers.

I personally find these actions disgusting. I wonder where are the oversight and legal safeguards and civil rights standards? For many the answer isn't simply boycott, they already have strategic placement and convenience for many struggling to get by already driving miles further or to more expensive areas isn't an option.

I think we need to address these failures in the Union and confront King Soopers CEO's and board of directors publicly and make sure a transparent and good faith deal is achieved. Not only would they save face and restore public opinion their profits would likely go up even more for people supporting their friends, families and local businesses. We can all climb up by helping each other together or scramble and step on the necks of others. Which one seems like the most productive and sustainable, and which do you think we have now?

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Note: The claims and figures mentioned in this article are based on publicly available reports and should be independently verified. This piece represents an opinionated analysis and is intended to provoke debate on union accountability and corporate labor practices.