DENVER — Claiming that union operatives wearing black shirts have intimidated and coerced workers at its King Soopers stores, Kroger Co. has filed suit here seeking to end the so-called “blitzing” practices.
Kroger and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 have engaged in tense contract negotiations in recent months. Workers in Denver were to have voted on the company’s latest contract proposal Monday — a proposal condemned by union leadership. Workers in Colorado Springs are expected to vote today. Workers have been without a contract since their previous deal expired last month.
Kroger’s suit alleges that union workers wearing black shirts have arrived in groups at various stores since last month and cause disruptions in violation of federal labor law and the union’s collective bargaining agreement. While at the stores, union reps “have hindered and disrupted operations, threatened, intimidated and coerced employees, staff and the public and acted in ways that are not peaceful,” the suit alleges.
Kroger is seeking an order preventing the union from assembling at its stores and unspecified damages.
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