Some King Soopers customers have gotten a text message saying their "local pharmacy will be open with reduced hours," as employees are striking across metro Denver.
In a statement, the company said it is committed to serving customers and is "actively monitoring service levels." A list of pharmacies with disrupted hours was not provided in time for publication of this story.
Stores in Denver and statewide impacted by the labor shortage are waiving delivery fees for prescriptions, according to a statement from the company. Patients can call their local pharmacy to place a delivery order. Most products are available for delivery Monday through Friday between 2 and 6 p.m. Patients can also call ahead to have their prescription filled for pick up at a drive-through location.
On Wednesday when the strike started, the grocery giant called the decision by the UFCW Local 7 union to strike "reckless and self-serving" and said their stores would remain open despite staff shortages.
After months of back-and-forth contract negotiations between the union and the supermarket chain's parent company, Kroger, the union's current contract expired on Jan. 8. The union rejected the company's latest offer which included $148 million in wage investments and signing bonuses for workers, according to a statement from King Soopers.
Negotiations are likely to continue, but a date has not yet been set, and the union said the strikes could continue for weeks.
"We remain committed to honoring the near-unanimous vote by Local 7 members to strike against the Company for unfair labor practices," said Kim Cordova, president of the union, which represents about 17,000 grocery workers, in a statement. "And we will continue until the Company proves it will treat Essential Workers with the dignity they deserve."
