Safeway workers in several Colorado cities entered the third day of labor strikes Tuesday against Safeway and Albertsons over alleged unfair labor practices, with picketing in Grand Junction prompting a temporary store closure.
The store at 2901 F Rd., appeared to have roughly 30 workers participating in the strike, according to a video posted on the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7’s Facebook page.
Additionally, on Monday night and Tuesday morning, Safeway and Albertsons workers in Fort Collins, Greeley, Longmont, Loveland and Colorado Springs have all voted over 95% to authorize a strike.
The next steps and when workers in those areas will walk out has yet to be announced.
The union announced on Facebook that negotiations were set to resume Tuesday and again on Wednesday. In a statement, they wrote, “We are calling the member-led bargaining team and working through logistics.”
They went on to address those on the front lines, adding, “The striking stores and DC (distribution center) please hold the line! The picket lines will stay up and the strike may continue to expand, scheduled strike vote meetings will continue as scheduled.”
“We will keep everyone posted,” the statement continued. “With strike authorization in hand and huge strike vote turnouts, it is in Safeway’s best interest to settle these contracts!”
UFCW Local 7 rejected the latest offer from Safeway and Albertsons, saying it fails to address key demands for better staffing levels, livable wages and the protection of workers’ health and pension benefits.
“Safeway in Colorado remains committed to productive discussions with UFCW Local 7, and we are disappointed the union has chosen to strike some of our stores,” according to a statement provided to The Post by Heather Halpape, communications and public affairs manager with Safeway’s Denver Division, on Monday afternoon.
“We respect the rights of workers to engage in collective bargaining and are negotiating in good faith to achieve a balanced agreement that rewards our associates, benefits our customers, and is sustainable for our company in the competitive grocery industry.”
Halpape’s statement continued with “allegations of unfair labor practices are without merit. Our focus remains on providing exceptional service to our customers and fostering a positive working environment for our associates. All Safeway stores in Colorado are open and ready to continue serving our communities.”
The union did not respond to requests for comment on next steps.
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