Unionized Grocery Workers Are a Sleeping Giant

Colorado Kroger workers are striking this week, and 130,000 union grocery workers are bargaining contracts this year. Reformers see it as a chance to transform the UFCW from America’s largest private sector union into a fighting force.

First Skirmish: Ten Thousand Grocery Workers Strike Kroger

Ten thousand members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 are on strike all across Colorado. They work for King Soopers grocery stores, owned by Kroger, the largest supermarket chain in the U.S. When their contracts expired January 16, they voted by 96 percent to authorize a two-week-long unfair labor practice strike, including high-traffic Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day weekends. Even with scabs staffing the stores, these holiday weekends should give the boss a headache.

Labor Notes
Unionized Grocery Workers Are a Sleeping Giant

Colorado Kroger workers are striking this week, and 130,000 union grocery workers are bargaining contracts this year. Reformers see it as a chance to transform the UFCW from America’s largest private sector union into a fighting force.

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/unionized-colorado-grocery-store-workers-two-week-strike-thursday

Friends in the #Denver metro area, and along the Front Range from #Cheyenne to #Pueblo, take note. Please don't cross the #picket line.

Many of my friends have worked at #KingSoopers over the decades. It used to be completely unionized, and a good place to work. #Kroger bought it out in the 1980s, and has steadily ground down the #unions ever since. I honestly don't know how much of a difference this #strike will make.

I do know the battle is worth fighting, and those who fight it are worth supporting. As convenient as King Soopers is around here, there are other places to shop. Do what you can, when you can, and maybe things will get better someday.

Unionized Colorado grocery store workers to begin two-week strike on Thursday

That includes stores throughout Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties as well as King Soopers stores in the cities of Boulder and Louisville.

CBS Colorado

After #negotiations have stalled for weeks, #strike appears imminent for frustrated union workers at #KingSoopers #grocerystore chain in #Colorado. Mgmt has accused Kim Cordova, president of the United Food and Commercial #Workers Local 7, of bargaining in bad faith 

The #UFCW is still in contract negotiations with #Albertsons, which owns #Safeway.

https://enews.denverpost.com/q/JwsAzQC3e-OTsn0XOIuZtciAPmPN-LWpCVz2ZcOJbGlsbWlrZXNmK2RlbnZlcnBvc3RAZ21haWwuY29tw4gynN1IzQafpGLVfDm0wOoFslxdw

Presidents of King Soopers, union believe strike against grocer likely

Strike-authorization votes begin next week.

The Denver Post
Do you ever think that you're the only person at your #KingSoopers buying #scrapple?

Filing: #Kroger paid #CEO $19M in 2022, typical worker almost $29K

by Alexander Coolidge Cincinnati Enquirer
May 12, 2023

"Kroger CEO #RodneyMcMullen got a 5.7% pay raise in 2022 as his compensation package climbed $1 million to $19 million, according to a corporate filing Friday morning with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

"The head of the nation's largest supermarket retailer was paid $18 million in the previous year, according to the Associated Press' methodology for executive compensation that excludes pension value changes.

"The typical worker got an $1,800 pay raise, climbing 7% in 2022 to $28,644. The ratio of McMullen's pay to the median Kroger worker – as required to be reported by the government – was 671 to 1, a decline from the ratio of 679 to 1 in the previous year.

"Kroger earned a $2.2 billion #profit on sales of $148 billion last year. In 2022, Kroger contended with higher costs as inflation soared. Overall inflation eased in 2022, climbing 6.4% - slower than 7.2% a year earlier. But the cost of food purchased at #supermarkets and #supercenters rose at a faster rate: 11.8% - the worst calendar year increase since 1978, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"Also last year, the grocer proposed acquiring rival #Albertsons in a $25 billion takeover bid that regulators at the Federal Trade Commission are mulling whether to approve or fight.

"In addition to Kroger stores, the Cincinnati-based grocer operates several regional supermarket chains in 35 states, including #FredMeyer, #HarrisTeeter, #Ralphs, #Marianos, #Frys, Smith's, #KingSoopers, #QFC and others. The company has nearly 2,800 stores and employs 430,000 workers."

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2023/05/12/kroger-ceo-paid-19m-in-2022-while-median-worker-earned-28-6k/70211231007/

#CorporatePriceGouging #Inflation #CEOPay #ObsceneProfits #FoodInsecurity #PeopleAndPlanetOverProfits #PriceGouging

Filing: Kroger paid CEO $19M in 2022, typical worker almost $29K

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen got a 5.7% pay raise in 2022 with his compensation package up $1 million to $19 million, according to government filings.

The Enquirer
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