You just want to grab some milk, maybe those specific sourdough pretzels, and suddenly you're wondering if you’ll be crossing a picket line. It’s a valid concern. Honestly, the labor situation with King Soopers has been a rollercoaster lately.
The short answer: No, King Soopers is not on strike today, January 17, 2026.
If you head to your local store in Denver, Colorado Springs, or anywhere along the Front Range right now, the doors are open and the staff is working. But "no strike today" doesn't mean everything is perfectly quiet behind the scenes.
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Why the Strike Question Keeps Popping Up
We’ve been through this before. People are jumpy because 2025 was a brutal year for Colorado grocery labor relations. Remember last February?
More than 10,000 workers walked out for nearly two weeks. It was a massive deal that affected 77 stores. That strike only ended after a "labor peace" agreement was reached, which basically acted as a temporary truce while everyone cooled off.
Then, just when we thought it was over, things flared up again in the summer. UFCW Local 7 and King Soopers (owned by Kroger) finally hammered out a new collective bargaining agreement in July 2025.
The Current Contract Situation
That deal is the reason you aren't seeing picket signs today. It was a big win for the union. They secured $4.50 hourly raises over the next few years and solid health care protections.
Basically, that contract is locked in until January 8, 2028.
Unless there is a massive violation of the contract—what the legal types call an "Unfair Labor Practice" (ULP)—there won't be a legal strike for a long time. The union generally can't just walk out over wages or benefits while a signed contract is in effect.
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The Confusion with Other Strikes
Sometimes the "Is King Soopers on strike?" Google search spikes because someone else is on strike. It's easy to get the vests mixed up.
UFCW Local 7 represents a ton of different workers. Right now, in early 2026, there has been significant tension with Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers. You might see news about strike authorization votes for clinical laboratory scientists and pharmacists.
Since it's the same union (UFCW Local 7) often leading these charges, people see the purple and gold signs and think, "Oh, the grocery workers are out again."
What to Watch For if Things Sour
While we're safe for now, labor relations are never "set it and forget it." There are a few triggers that could put King Soopers back in the news:
- The Kroger-Albertsons Merger: This has been the elephant in the room for years. If the merger causes store closures or massive divestitures in Colorado, the union will likely fight back.
- Grievance Backlogs: Sometimes the company and the union argue over how the contract is interpreted. If those disputes pile up, the union sometimes holds "informational pickets." These look like strikes but aren't—they’re just workers protesting on their off-hours.
- Safety Concerns: This has been a huge sticking point in Denver stores specifically. If workers feel the "Sanitation Clerks" program promised in the 2025 deal isn't being rolled out fast enough, expect some noise.
Honestly, though? You're good to go.
If you want to be a "pro" shopper and support the workers, just keep an eye out for those "Union Made" stickers or simply treat the cashier with a bit of extra patience. They've been through the ringer the last two years.
Actionable Steps for Shoppers
- Check the UFCW Local 7 Website: If you ever see a crowd with signs, check ufcw7.org. They post "Breaking News" updates immediately if a strike is actually authorized.
- Verify the Store Location: Strikes are often store-specific. Even if one store has an issue, the one three miles away might be totally fine.
- Respect the Line: If a strike does happen, the union usually asks customers to shop at unionized competitors like Safeway (provided they aren't also on strike) or local independent grocers.
The bottom line? Your grocery run is safe for today. No pickets, no drama—just the usual struggle to find a parking spot.