Week of January 27, 2022
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DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
ParkerChronicle.net
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 10 | LIFE: PAGE 12 | CALENDAR: PAGE 9 | SPORTS: PAGE 14
King Soopers strike ends
Parker approves exclusive negotiation agreement
Agreement reached between union and grocer BY TAMARA CHUANG COLORADO SUN
On Jan. 21, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 said that it has reached a tentative three-year labor agreement with King Soopers, ending a strike that began more than a week ago. The union said the deal will provide the wages and protections deserved by workers, who were considered essential during the pandemic. The strike ended immediately. More than 8,000 workers walked out on Jan. 12. “This fight will always be about the workers. I could not be prouder of our members who put it all on the line to have their voices heard,” Kim Cordova, president of UFCW Local 7, said in a written statement. “We didn’t ask for this fight, but the company chose to put profits over people for so long and failed to listen to the workers who made its success possible.” Details of the contract were not shared. Union members were expected to vote to approve the deal on Jan. 24. King Soopers confirmed the tentative deal. “We are pleased that this agreement allows us to put more money in our associates’ paychecks and secures healthcare and pension plans,” Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers and City Market, said in a written statement. “We look forward to welcoming back our associates and customers.” The strike lasted nine days and grew more heated as King Soop-
VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 9
Plan will evaluate My Main Street parcels BY ELLIOTT WENZLER EWENZLER@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Striking King Soopers employees picket in front of the Parker store Jan. 12. PHOTO BY ELLIOTT WENZLER
ers obtained a temporary restraining order after disruptions at some stores. The union called the charges unfounded but did share rules with picketers on how to maintain a peaceful strike. King Soopers officials offered its “last, best and final offer” a day before union members went on strike. It proposed raising wages about $3.10 over three years for those with five years of experience. A full-time checker with five years experience, currently
making $19.51 an hour, would get a $1.50 raise this year to $21.01. By 2024, the same checker’s wage would increase to $22.61. The starting hourly wage was $16, or 13 cents more than Denver’s current minimum wage of $15.87. The union, meanwhile, also has the lowest starting wage at $16 an hour, according to its last public proposal. Most clerk positions would start at $18.56 this year and
THIRSTY FOR WATER Douglas County considers $20 million proposal
P4
SEE AGREEMENT, P20
On Jan. 18, the Partnering for Parker’s Progress Board, called P3, approved an exclusive negotiation agreement with Confluence Companies for the potential development of the My Mainstreet parcels, according to a news release from the town. The agreement was reached in hopes of evaluating the feasibility of development and guiding discussions for master planning of five under-utilized and vacant properties located on Mainstreet in Parker’s core downtown area, according to the release. Four of the properties are owned by the Town of Parker, with the fifth owned by P3. The agreement grants Confluence Companies a 90-day exclusivity period to conduct site due diligence, study development feasibility and develop concept plans. “During this exclusivity period, the My Mainstreet parcels will not be listed for sale nor will the Town of Parker or P3 have discussions with any firm regarding the development of the properties,” according to the release. In 2018, P3 took the lead on helping develop the four different properties owned by the Town of Parker and P3 downtown. The My Mainstreet project culminated with the release of the Strategic Framework: A Blueprint to Community Supported Development, a guide for the future of these sites, according to the release.
AFTERNOON TEA IN THE QUEEN CITY
A Colorado spin on an English tradition
P12