King Soopers avoiding nuclear option in grocery-worker contract negotiations

Once it became clear that the overwhelming majority of United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local No. 7 members across the Front Range had rejected King Soopers' latest contract offer, the company had the option to put further negotiations in the freezer section. Instead, King Soopers spokeswoman Diane Mulligan...

By Michael Roberts

June 18, 2009

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Once it became clear that the overwhelming majority of United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local No. 7 members across the Front Range had rejected King Soopers' latest contract offer, the company had the option to put further negotiations in the freezer section. Instead, King Soopers spokeswoman Diane Mulligan made it clear that the firm will return to the bargaining table rather than locking out employees -- a move that would escalate the situation into outright ugliness quicker than you can say, "Paper or plastic?" That doesn't necessarily mean employees have the upper hand, despite the fact that their pitch -- synopsized in the ad above, which recently got above-average marks in a 9News truth test -- is particularly resonant given the current economic conditions. But clearly King Soopers recognizes that it's already soft sales could liquefy is customers must choose between crossing a picket line or shopping elsewhere. With luck, this fact will drive both sides toward an equitable resolution, rather than away from one.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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