King Soopers Workers Reject Latest Contract Offer

CATHERINE TSAI

DENVER (AP) — The union representing grocery workers at King Soopers says the sides still disagree on new pension and wage proposals, with days to go before an existing labor contract expires.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 said Tuesday that members oppose proposals for cuts in pension benefits and a wage freeze for most workers.

King Soopers spokeswoman Diane Mulligan said the latest proposal includes a 9 percent raise over five years for top-tier employees. Under an existing contract, King Soopers employees can retire at age 50 with full benefits after 30 years of service. The new proposal changes that to age 55 with full benefits after 25 years of service, she said.

The sides earlier reached a tentative agreement to add more preventive health care, such as mammograms, to workers' health care benefits.

Contracts covering about 17,000 workers represented by UFCW Local 7 at King Soopers, Safeway and Albertsons expire May 9. The grocers coordinate on contract talks but negotiate separately.

Safeway workers are voting Friday and Saturday whether to authorize a strike if a contract isn't reached. Safeway meat warehouse workers have already authorized one.