Colorado Grocery Workers Get Contract Extension

State lawmakers have passed a bill that would allow locked out workers to collect unemployment if they are locked out through no fault of their own. It would take effect July 1 if Gov. Bill Ritter signs it.

Colorado previously allowed workers to collect unemployment during lockouts until 1999, when the law was changed in response to a lockout of Safeway employees when King Soopers employees voted to strike in 1996. The change meant that no benefits are paid for "defensive" lockouts to prevent vandalism or other problems.

Labor officials say it's easy for companies to claim a defensive lockout and difficult for employees to disprove.

King Soopers and City Market are part of Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. Safeway Inc. is based in Pleasanton, Calif. The privately owned Albertsons LLC, based in Boise, Idaho, operates Albertsons stores in Colorado.