MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – Hopes for a new labor agreement between Safeway/Albertsons and its employees may have stalled as union leaders say the company abruptly ended contract negotiations.
According to UFCW Local 7, President Kim Cordova and the bargaining team met with company representatives on June 27 and 28, but the talks ended when Safeway/Albertsons “chose to walk away” from the table.
“The Company chose to continue the strike rather than negotiating a new contract,” the union said in a statement.
Workers at Safeway and Albertsons stores across Colorado — including Grand Junction — began striking earlier this month over unfair labor practices, staffing shortages, and stagnant wages.
A spokesperson for the company told WesternSlopeNow the labor practice allegations are “without merit.”
UFCW Local 7 said there had been some progress, especially around healthcare, but claimed Safeway/Albertsons refused to sign a separate agreement and continues to offer wages lower than industry competitors and below what other unions have recently accepted.
As of now, the strike continues with no new talks scheduled.
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