Talks stall; Safeway hiring temporary workers as strike nears 40 locations

Negotiations between United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 and Safeway’s parent company, Albertsons, stalled over the weekend, deepening a strike that has stretched beyond two weeks.

At the same time, the union prepares for talks with King Soopers and City Market starting Tuesday.

“Despite the union’s good faith attempt to reach an agreement, the company chose to walk away from negotiations – choosing to continue the strike rather than negotiating a new contract,” read a June 28 social media post by UFCW Local 7.

The post further stated, “Safeway is still holding hands with King Soopers and letting King Soopers take the lead, rather than stepping up to be an industry leader.”

As a result, Safeway is hiring temporary workers for a variety of roles, including customer service, stocking, cleaning and checking, the company said.

“Safeway remains committed to engaging in good-faith discussions to reach a new agreement with UFCW Local 7. We are hopeful a resolution will be reached soon, as we have in other parts of the country through successful collaboration with our union partners to secure agreements that recognize and reward our dedicated associates while supporting the company’s ongoing growth,” read a statement provided by Heather Halpape, communications and public affairs manager with Safeway’s Denver Division, to The Post over the weekend.

The statement said the company has put forward a “strong offer that includes meaningful wage increases, continued investment in secure health care coverage, and the long-term stability of the pension plan, reflecting both the dedication of our associates and the real economic conditions facing our industry.”

The giant grocer said it remains willing to return to the bargaining table.

All Safeway stores in Colorado will remain open, but locations affected by the strike will operate with adjusted hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pharmacies will continue to remain open as usual.

No future talks are currently scheduled with Safeway, but union negotiators will return to the bargaining table with King Soopers and City Market on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 1 and 2.

In February, about 10,000 King Soopers employees walked picket lines at 77 stores in Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties, as well as in Boulder and Louisville.

The 12-day strike came to an end after King Soopers and union leaders agreed to a temporary deal that paused the labor dispute for 100 days.

The two parties agreed to extend the peace period through the end of the day on June 8, according to the union’s bargaining updates. However, it was announced this month that no new agreements were reached.

“Our team is focused on coming to a solution that rewards our hard-working associates and keeps groceries affordable,” said a King Soopers spokesperson in an email statement to The Post.

Union members are asking both companies to address key demands such as better staffing levels, livable wages and the protection of workers’ health and pension benefits.

The union has rolled out the Safeway strike slowly, and The Post has compiled a list of all stores that have gone on strike so far, using the union’s social media updates and news releases.

At the time of publication, 37 of the over 80 Safeway locations listed on the union’s website have gone on strike, consisting of 36 stores and one distribution center.

The walkouts include locations in Denver, Evergreen, Lakewood, Aurora, Estes Park, Longmont, Monument, Colorado Springs, Wheat Ridge, Highlands Ranch, Grand Junction, Lone Tree, Fort Collins, Boulder, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Fountain, Fort Morgan, Greeley, Brighton and Littleton.

Colorado stores on strike

1. Safeway #10, 3851 S. Highway 74, Evergreen
2. Safeway #41, 13111 W. Alameda Pkwy., Lakewood
3. Safeway #244, 3800 W. 44th Ave., Denver
4. Safeway #344, 9160 W. Colfax, Lakewood
5. Safeway #841, 1200 S. Buckley Rd., Aurora
6. Safeway #920, 451 E Wonderview Ave., Estes Park
7. Safeway #1116, 1050 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont
8. Safeway #1248, 2660 Federal Blvd., Denver
9. Safeway #1267, 6460 E. Yale Ave., Denver
10. Safeway #1440, 624 Highway 105, Monument
11. Safeway #1463, 2150 S. Downing St., Denver
12. Safeway #1466, 1121 N. Circle Dr., Colorado Springs
13. Safeway #1479, 3900 Wadsworth Blvd., Wheat Ridge
14. Safeway #1480, 9255 S. Broadway, Highlands Ranch
15. Safeway #1533, 2901 F Rd., Grand Junction
16. Safeway #1548, 9229 E. Lincoln Ave., Lone Tree
17. Safeway #1552, 1426 E. Harmony Rd, Fort Collins
18. Safeway #1599, 12442 West Ken Caryl Ave., Littleton
19. Safeway #1614, 560 Corona St., Denver
20. Safeway #1615, 3325 28th St., Boulder
21. Safeway #1760, 1017 N. Market Plaza, Pueblo West
22. Safeway #1873, 771 Thornton Pkwy., Denver
23. Safeway #1877, 880 S. Perry St., Castle Rock
24. Safeway #1928, 18730 East Hampden Ave., Aurora
25. Safeway #1975, 6925 Mesa Ridge Pkwy., Fountain
26. Safeway #2246, 757 E. 20th Ave., Denver
27. Safeway #2341, 620 W. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan
28. Safeway #2342, 11088 W. Jewell Ave., Lakewood
29. Safeway #2625, 681 Horizon Dr., Grand Junction
30. Safeway #2666, 4548 Centerplace Dr., Greeley
31. Safeway #2791, 181 W. Mineral Ave., Littleton
32. Safeway #2910, 1632 Hover Rd., Longmont
33. Safeway #2913, 2160 W. Drake Rd., Fort Collins
34. Safeway #2917, 1605 Bridge St., Brighton
35. Safeway #2918, 3526 W. 10th St., Greeley
36. Safeway #3729, 1231 S. Prairie Ave., Pueblo
37. Safeway Distribution Center, 4600 Stapleton Drive South, Denver