[ Local ]

• Denver sees a surge in office-to-apartment conversions as the city turns more and more vacant office spaces into housing. Denver now ranks 15th in the nation in terms of number of office-to-apartment conversions.
• Employees at King Soopers stores in seven Colorado counties go on strike, accusing the stores of union busting activities and a proposal to take away retiree health benefit funds in exchange for increased wages. King Soopers, in term, sues the union for working with out-of-state organizations.
• Louisville City Council votes unanimously to hire Diana Langley as the new city manager. Langley is currently city manager of Yuba City, California, a city over three times the size of Louisville.
• A Tesla dealership in Loveland has been vandalized with graffiti and broken glass multiple times in the past few weeks in a series of incidents believed to be a response to Elon Musk’s actions as head of the Department of Government Efficiency

[ National ]

• Donald J. Trump is sworn in for his second term as President of the United States and immediately starts signing a series of executive orders targeting immigrant rights, transgender rights, and government spending, triggering a series of court challenges against his orders. Many of his EOs are currently blocked by courts.
• Billionaire Elon Musk is appointed head of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency and cuts government spending in many major departments, many of which he has no legal authority to issue directives to, leading to questions about whether the rule of law even applies under the Trump administration.
• All 50 states hold massive protests against Trump’s policies on immigration, transgender rights, and more.
• The Philadelphia Eagles stop the Kansas City Chiefs from pulling off a historic three consecutive Super Bowl wins, as Philadelphia pulls off the shocking upset with a 40-22 win over Kansas City.

[ International ]

• The Israel/Hamas ceasefire remains precarious as Hamas delays the release of captives saying that Israel is not respecting the ceasefire.
• Trump proposes bizarre plan to clear Palestinians out of Gaza and have the United States take over their land. Rights groups have referred to his plan as “ethnic cleansing.”.
• With a new outbreak of Ebola confirmed in Uganda, the country tests out a new trial vaccine, the first for the Sudan strain of the virus.
• Thousands of protesters in Bangladesh demolish and set fire to the former home of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in response to her speech on social media calling for her supporters to resist the interim government.

Quotes

“Kroger negotiators have illegally insisted on robbing retiree health care benefits to fund wage increases for workers today. Sadly, this Company’s targeting of fixed-income retirees and other vulnerable populations only compounds its history of targeting consumers with predatory pricing.” 
– UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova on the reasons for the King Soopers strike

“Louisville is known for its rich history, charm, and strong civic engagement, and I look forward to working alongside the City Council and staff to continue Louisville’s tradition of being a great place to live.”

– Diana Langley accepting her new role as Louisville city manager

“”I’ve been on the bench for four decades, I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is. There are other times in world history where we look back and people of goodwill can say, ‘Where were the judges? Where were the lawyers?’”

– U.S. District Judge John Coughenour in striking down Trump’s executive order trying to revoke birthright citizenship

“Marsha P. Johnson would have already started throwing bricks!”

– A sign held by a protester at the February 5th protest at the State House

By the Numbers

77

The number of King Soopers locations across seven different Colorado counties that are involved in the strike

#50501

The hashtag representing the February 5th protests, indicating 50 protests in 50 state capitols on one day

53

The number of days it took for Adolph Hitler to dismantle Germany’s democracy after taking office

March 14, 2025

The day Donald Trump hits 53 days in office

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In a bold display of solidarity, approximately 10,000 King Soopers workers across Colorado have launched a strike. They are citing unfair labor practices and the company’s refusal to address critical issues in their “Last, Best, and Final Offer.”

The strike, organized by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 7 (UFCW Local 7), affects 77 stores throughout Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties, and King Soopers stores in Boulder and Louisville.

Union leaders argue that King Soopers, a subsidiary of Kroger, has consistently engaged in tactics designed to undermine worker rights and suppress union activities. According to UFCW Local 7, the company has engaged in illegal surveillance and interrogation of union members, withheld critical information necessary for contract negotiations, and even targeted retiree health benefits to fund wage increases for current employees.

“This strike is about holding one of the largest corporations in America accountable when they break the law and cause harm to workers and our customers,” noted Kim Cordova, president of Local 7, which has offices in Colorado Springs, Cheyenne, Wheat Ridge, Grand Junction, Greeley and Pueblo, Colo. “We are holding this strike for a two-week period to allow everyone to understand our concerns and give the employer time to right their wrong.”

 

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The union also alleges that King Soopers has retaliated against workers for wearing union attire and participating in union activities, actions that are protected under federal labor laws. Such behavior, according to UFCW Local 7, is part of a broader strategy to intimidate and weaken the union’s bargaining power.

In response to the strike and the union’s allegations, King Soopers filed a federal lawsuit against UFCW Local 7. The company claims that the union is engaging in unlawful tactics by trying to force King Soopers into bargaining with other labor unions that do not represent its employees. The lawsuit accuses the union of threatening illegal strikes and coordinating bargaining efforts with unions outside Colorado, such as the Teamsters and other UFCW locals.

“This litigation is nothing more than an attempt to distract from King Soopers’ efforts to silence its workforce and prevent workers from reaching an equitable contract that addresses major issues like staffing, safety, and health care,” the union said. “Kroger will go to any length to hide its corporate greed in price gouging and shareholder buybacks.”

King Soopers maintains that its “Last, Best, and Final Offer” includes significant wage increases and benefits. The company expressed disappointment over the union’s decision to strike, arguing that the offer was designed to benefit associates while keeping groceries affordable for customers. However, workers and union leaders argue that the proposed wage increases come at the cost of critical protections, such as seniority-based scheduling and retiree health benefits.

The strike has garnered widespread support from the community, with customers and local organizations standing in solidarity with the workers. Many shoppers have chosen to boycott King Soopers stores during the strike, opting to support other local businesses or shop at union-friendly stores.

The strike also raises broader questions about labor practices within the grocery industry and the role of unions in protecting worker rights. As one of the largest grocery chains in the country, Kroger’s handling of the situation could set a precedent for labor relations across the industry.

As the strike continues, both sides remain entrenched in their positions. UFCW Local 7 has vowed to continue the strike until King Soopers addresses their demands and negotiates in good faith. Meanwhile, the company’s legal actions and public statements suggest a prolonged battle ahead.

For the workers on the picket lines, the fight is about more than just wages—it’s about dignity, respect, and the right to a fair workplace.

The outcome of this strike will not only impact King Soopers employees but could also influence labor movements across the country. As the battle unfolds, one thing is clear: the voices of the workers will not be silenced.

The post Approx. 10,000 Employees Join King Soopers Strike appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.