Press Release: New Lawsuit Targets Kroger and Albertsons Over Alleged Illegal Employee Agreements
DENVER, CO – A significant class action lawsuit was filed by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 (UFCW) against grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, alleging the companies engaged in illegal “no-poach” agreements during a union strike in 2022. The lawsuit, which was filed in the Denver District Court, claims that King Soopers, City Market (under Kroger), and Safeway (part of Albertsons) conspired to refrain from hiring each other’s employees, undermining competitive labor practices.
The UFCW claims that these verbal or written no-poach agreements, which are illegal, led to diminished wage opportunities and reduced employment options for workers during a nine-day strike prompted by disputes over pay and workplace safety. The lead plaintiff in the suit is Valerie Morgan, a member of the UFCW negotiation team during the strike.
The lawsuit alleges that Kroger instructed Albertsons to refrain from hiring King Soopers employees or soliciting customers during the strike to neutralize union bargaining power. Evidence presented includes an email exchange between senior executives from both companies confirming their intentions to uphold these agreements.
UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova emphasized the lawsuit’s potential to benefit thousands of grocery store workers, asserting that the illegal actions may have limited the union’s ability to secure better contract terms. Meanwhile, the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding Kroger’s proposed $24.6 billion merger with Albertsons complicates matters further, with civil penalties being sought over the alleged agreements.
In response, a King Soopers spokesperson denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the company competes within a diverse labor market. As the case unfolds, the implications for unionized labor in the grocery sector are significant. The Denver Gazette is following this story closely for further updates.
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