Colorado Grocery Workers Get Contract Extensions

DENVER (AP) — Thousands of unionized Colorado grocery workers on Monday reported to work under contract extensions reached with major chains while labor negotiations carry on.

Contracts for about 17,000 of the state's Safeway, King Soopers and Albertsons workers represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 expired Saturday night.

Safeway workers voted over the weekend to authorize a strike, but the company and union agreed Sunday to extend contracts on a day-to-day basis until May 30 while negotiations continue.

King Soopers also agreed to extend contracts through May 30. The company is part of Cincinnati-based Kroger Co.

The union says talks also were continuing with Albertsons.

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