In 1996, King Soopers and Safeway had a secret agreement. When King Soopers workers voted to strike, Safeway locked out thousands of Safeway workers.  

Safeway workers did not vote to strike, or even to reject a proposed agreement -- they weren't given the chance. They suddenly found themselves out of a job, on the street, forced by their employer into a strike situation.  

During current contract talks between the grocery workers' union and grocery chains, the threat of a lockout once again looms.  

Governor Owens and a Republican legislature changed the law in 1999, taking away protection for locked out workers.   The bill on Governor Ritter's desk would restore the law to what it used to be, giving locked out workers the opportunity to draw unemployment insurance.   The companies don't want that -- they'd rather have unionized workers at the mercy of their employer during any job action, helping the employer to lower wages and reduce benefits. Wages of most grocery workers are already near minimum wage(!)  

In the past, Governor Ritter has supported workers, but he has also vetoed pro-worker legislation. The companies are pressuring him to veto this bill.   Please call Governor Ritter to ask him to sign HB 1170, the lockout bill. Give working people a break. 

303-866-2471 or 1-800-283-7215 

They take calls on weekdays, 8 AM to 5 PM.