In June 2025, Safeway workers across multiple locations in Colorado, including Pueblo, began a coordinated strike in response to long-standing concerns about staffing levels, compensation, and working conditions. Spearheaded by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7, the walkout represents the culmination of months of tense contract negotiations and escalating frustrations over what employees view as unfair labor practices.
The dispute is part of a broader pattern of labor unrest in the retail and grocery sectors across the United States, as workers increasingly demand better wages and protections amid rising costs of living and corporate consolidation. The strike has immediate implications for store operations, customer satisfaction, and workforce retention, and may ultimately shape the future of labor relations within the grocery industry.
Origins of the Conflict
At the heart of the strike lies the expiration of a collective bargaining agreement between Safeway’s parent company, Albertsons, and UFCW Local 7, which represents thousands of grocery workers in Colorado. Although the contract had expired months earlier, both sides had agreed to temporary extensions to allow negotiations to continue.
Workers voiced their grievances at multiple bargaining sessions, citing low wages that had failed to keep pace with inflation, increasingly erratic scheduling practices, and dangerously low staffing levels that were impacting both employee well-being and customer service. According to union representatives, many Safeway locations had been operating with skeleton crews, forcing employees to take on multiple roles during each shift. This not only increased physical strain and mental stress but also contributed to growing customer dissatisfaction.
UFCW Local 7 leadership argued that the company’s proposals during negotiations failed to address these issues adequately. Instead of making meaningful concessions, Albertsons allegedly sought to scale back certain employee benefits while offering only marginal wage increases. This was perceived by many employees as an effort to maximize profits at the expense of worker welfare.
Initial Strike Actions and Escalation
The first major wave of picketing began on June 15 in Pueblo and several other locations across Colorado, including Grand Junction, Estes Park, and Littleton. Workers at the Denver distribution center also joined the effort, significantly impacting Safeway’s supply chain throughout the region.
The union’s decision to begin the strike with targeted walkouts was strategic. Rather than launching an immediate, system-wide work stoppage, UFCW Local 7 deployed a rolling strike model. This approach allowed the union to gauge support, attract public attention, and apply pressure on key logistical nodes within Safeway’s operations.
Early picket lines featured employees holding signs that read “Fair Wages Now” and “Staff Our Stores,” while union organizers gave speeches about the risks of worker exploitation and corporate greed. The atmosphere at these demonstrations was generally peaceful, though emotionally charged. Many workers spoke openly about being forced to work extended hours with little notice, frequently skipping breaks or taking on tasks outside their job descriptions just to keep stores functioning.
Within days, additional Safeway locations joined the walkout, including multiple stores in Colorado Springs, Boulder, Castle Rock, and the Pueblo West area. Participation numbers swelled, fueled by widespread support among union members. In many stores, strike authorization votes passed with over 95% approval, reflecting a high degree of unity among workers.
Company Response and Public Messaging
Albertsons issued a series of public statements in response to the strike, emphasizing its commitment to resolving the dispute through continued negotiations. The company maintained that it had presented a fair contract offer that included competitive wages and benefits in line with industry standards.
According to Albertsons, the proposed package included incremental raises and protections for existing healthcare plans. Company spokespeople also denied claims that they were seeking to cut benefits or reduce staffing further. Instead, they framed the strike as a disruptive tactic orchestrated by union leaders and insisted that most stores would remain open and operational during the work stoppage.
However, the company’s efforts to minimize the impact of the strike were quickly tested. Several stores experienced temporary service disruptions, and some departments were closed altogether due to lack of staff. Pharmacy services, in particular, were strained, with customers reporting long wait times and reduced access to medications.
In an attempt to maintain operations, Safeway began recruiting temporary workers to fill gaps left by striking employees. This move drew sharp criticism from the union, which accused the company of undermining the bargaining process and prolonging the conflict. Some customers also expressed frustration on social media, noting that their shopping experiences had declined significantly since the strike began.
Support from the Public and Political Leaders
As the strike gained momentum, workers received vocal support from local elected officials, community groups, and labor advocates. Several politicians, including state lawmakers and city council members, visited picket lines to express solidarity with Safeway employees.
Public opinion appeared to lean in favor of the striking workers, with many consumers acknowledging that grocery staff had played an essential role during the COVID-19 pandemic and deserved better compensation and working conditions. Media coverage highlighted the sacrifices made by frontline employees over the past few years and framed the strike as part of a broader push for economic justice.
Union leaders capitalized on this goodwill by organizing press conferences, rallies, and social media campaigns to amplify their message. They emphasized that the strike was not just about wages but also about restoring dignity and fairness to a workforce that had long been undervalued.
Broader Context and Industry Implications
The Safeway strike in Colorado did not occur in isolation. Across the country, grocery workers have become increasingly vocal in demanding higher pay, improved staffing, and safer working conditions. The retail sector, which historically relied on a mix of part-time and low-wage labor, has come under renewed scrutiny as labor shortages and inflation continue to reshape the employment landscape.
In recent years, other major grocery chains such as Kroger and King Soopers have also faced labor disputes, some of which led to similar walkouts. These movements are being driven by many of the same factors: stagnant wages, increasing workloads, and corporate consolidation that reduces competition and puts downward pressure on labor costs.
Safeway, now part of the larger Albertsons-Kroger merger network, finds itself in the middle of this trend. With fewer major players dominating the grocery market, workers fear that companies will feel less incentive to offer competitive employment packages. Unions, in turn, are stepping up efforts to organize and exert influence through strikes and collective bargaining.
If the Colorado strike leads to significant concessions from Safeway, it could set a precedent for similar actions in other regions. On the other hand, if the company successfully resists worker demands without major operational fallout, it may embolden other retailers to adopt a hardline stance in future negotiations.
Staffing Implications and Operational Consequences
In the short term, the strike has already disrupted normal staffing at affected stores. With many experienced employees off the floor, store managers have had to juggle limited personnel, reduce store hours, and prioritize essential services over specialty departments. Some stores have even had to close temporarily or suspend certain operations, such as bakery or deli counters.
This reactive approach has its limits. Temporary workers brought in to replace strikers often lack the training and familiarity with store systems to perform at the same level. Customers notice the difference, and morale among non-striking employees can suffer as they are asked to pick up the slack.
Longer-term, the strike highlights systemic staffing issues that predate the walkout. Safeway, like many retailers, has struggled to maintain adequate staffing levels since the pandemic. Burnout, low pay, and inconsistent scheduling have driven many workers to seek employment elsewhere, often in industries that offer more stability or better compensation.
If the company hopes to rebuild its workforce and restore normal operations, it will likely need to make changes to its staffing model. This could involve raising wages, offering more full-time positions, and improving scheduling practices to reduce turnover and improve job satisfaction. While these measures may increase labor costs in the short term, they could ultimately lead to higher productivity and better customer service.
Future Scenarios and Resolution Outlook
As of late June, negotiations between UFCW Local 7 and Safeway are expected to resume, but no agreement has been reached. The duration of the strike will depend heavily on whether the company is willing to revise its contract offer in a way that addresses the union’s core demands.
Several possible outcomes are on the table:
- A swift resolution, in which the company agrees to a revised contract that includes meaningful wage increases and staffing commitments.
- A protracted strike that expands to more locations, increasing pressure on Safeway but also deepening customer disruption.
- A negotiated compromise that provides partial wins for both sides, possibly with a phased approach to wage increases and benefit enhancements.
Whatever the outcome, the Safeway strike in Colorado is already being watched closely by labor organizers, retail analysts, and corporate leaders. It serves as a case study in the evolving dynamics of retail labor relations and underscores the growing willingness of frontline workers to take collective action when they feel their concerns are not being heard.
The strike by Safeway workers in Pueblo and other parts of Colorado marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for better wages, fair staffing, and equitable treatment within the grocery industry. Sparked by years of frustration and catalyzed by the expiration of a long-standing union contract, the walkout has already disrupted store operations and drawn national attention.
While the company insists that it has made reasonable offers, the union remains steadfast in its call for stronger protections and compensation. As negotiations continue, the outcome of this dispute may shape not only the future of Safeway’s workforce but also broader industry standards for retail labor.
For now, the picket lines remain active, and the message from workers is clear: they are willing to stand their ground for as long as it takes to secure the dignity and fairness they believe they deserve.
