The article details serious allegations that King Soopers engaged in practices such as interrogating and surveilling union members, withholding information essential for fair bargaining, and misusing retiree health benefit funds. These tactics undermine worker rights and are consistent with labor practices that support authoritarian control and exploitation. Such actions are concerning from a business ethics perspective and contribute negatively to the overall corporate complicity index.

Workers end strike at King Soopers grocery stores and both sides agree to resume bargaining

The settlement highlights problematic labor practices at King Soopers, where the employer's actions led to a forced ULP strike. This event underscores a negative stance in labor relations and human rights practices, forcing union intervention to protect workers' rights and secure essential benefits like healthcare.

King Soopers, Colorado workers union reach return-to-work settlement to end strike in the state

King Soopers' decision to sue the union, which represents striking workers, demonstrates a disregard for fair labor practices and collective bargaining rights. This action can be interpreted as an attempt to consolidate corporate power and suppress workers' voices, aligning with authoritarian business practices. While the company also made a charitable donation to Girl Scouts, the lawsuit overshadows this gesture, reflecting a prioritization of corporate interests over labor rights.

King Soopers sues union for collaborating with out-of-state organizers

The strike, prompted by complaints that King Soopers engaged in unlawful interrogations, union member surveillance, and punitive actions against pro-union employees—in addition to plans to cut retiree health benefits—demonstrates a disregard for worker rights and fair labor practices. Such behavior aligns with broader authoritarian labor management practices and undermines workers' rights, thereby contributing to systemic inequity.

King Soopers workers start 2-week strike

The reported political contributions and lobbying spending are indicative of a strategy to influence political outcomes. With $856,339 in contributions and $1,600,000 in lobbying expenditures, Kroger (owner of King Soopers) is engaging in practices that are potentially complicit in shaping policies to favor authoritarian agendas. Such financial influence can undermine democratic accountability and transparency, which is problematic from a left-leaning, anti-fascist perspective.

Kroger Co Profile: Summary • OpenSecrets

The data on Kroger's political contributions, as shown on OpenSecrets, suggests that the company engages in significant financial support for political entities. Such actions can influence policy making, potentially supporting authoritarian-friendly practices. From an anti-fascist perspective, this level of corporate involvement in political funding is concerning as it may undermine democratic accountability.

Kroger Co Profile: Totals – OpenSecrets

The strike exposes King Soopers' neglect of fair labor practices. The reported outsourcing of union jobs to temporary workers and the resultant strain on worker safety and staffing levels indicate a prioritization of profit over the wellbeing and rights of employees, reflecting a serious lapse in ethical labor relations.

King Soopers worker strike over staffing and safety — targeting holiday profits

King Soopers is part of The Kroger Co, whose political contributions and lobbying activities—as reported by OpenSecrets—raise concerns from an anti-fascist perspective. Such engagements can potentially funnel support to political actors and policies that contribute to the rise of authoritarianism. The emphasis on contributions of $200 or more indicates a structured financial approach that may influence public policy in ways that undermine democratic norms.

Kroger Co Profile: Totals – OpenSecrets

King Soopers has been reported to engage in severe labor rights violations, including surveilling and intimidating workers, retaliating against union activities, and employing scab labor to undermine union strikes. These practices, as detailed in the article, reflect a disregard for worker safety and rights, contributing negatively to overall ethical business practices and reinforcing an authoritarian corporate culture.

King Soopers workers authorize unfair labor practice strike

The article reveals significant labor rights abuses at King Soopers, including union busting, illegal surveillance of union members, and the use of replacement workers to undermine the strike. These practices not only jeopardize worker welfare but also align with broader patterns of corporate behavior that devalue labor rights, thereby indirectly supporting authoritarian methods by weakening grassroots opposition and worker solidarity.

King Soopers workers authorize unfair labor practice strike

The Guardian article details striking allegations from King Soopers workers, including surveillance of employees, suppression of union activities, and poor working conditions. These actions contribute to a pattern of labor exploitation and unethical business practices that align with authoritarian management techniques. The protest underscores systemic labor rights issues and fuels concerns about corporate complicity in oppressive practices.

Ten thousand Kroger-owned grocery store workers strike in Colorado

King Soopers has been accused of engaging in practices that undermine worker rights. The recent strike approval by union members, triggered by issues such as inadequate staffing and alleged illegal intimidation, reflects significant labor rights problems. Such practices contribute to an environment that can facilitate authoritarian labor management tactics, which is deeply concerning from an anti-fascist perspective.

King Soopers workers approve strike

The reported political contributions and lobbying expenditures by Kroger Co suggest an active involvement in financing political activities that can influence policies in ways that may support authoritarian practices. As King Soopers is part of The Kroger Co., these practices indirectly implicate the supermarket chain in fostering a political environment that undermines democratic processes.

Kroger Co Profile: Summary • OpenSecrets

The detailed report highlights that Kroger, owner of King Soopers/City Market, allocated 63.2% of its KroPAC funds to Republican causes and reported over $1.28 million in lobbying expenses in 2023. Such significant engagement in political contributions and lobbying activities reflects corporate behavior that disproportionately supports right-wing political interests, potentially fueling authoritarian agendas. This negative rating on the Public and Political Behavior category is indicative of actions that may undermine democratic processes.

The Kroger Co. 2023 Political Contribution Annual Report

King Soopers, under the control of Kroger, has funneled substantial political contributions to lawmakers who oppose federal voting rights legislation. This act can be interpreted as support for policies that undermine democratic processes and potentially enable authoritarian practices. The financial backing of anti-democratic figures by a major supermarket chain not only raises questions about corporate accountability but also directly feeds into broader patterns of political influence that can destabilize representative governance.

Kroger Political Contributions Tracker

Kroger's decision to pause political contributions, particularly through its PAC donations, represents a positive step toward reducing the risk of inadvertently supporting extremist or authoritarian causes. Given that King Soopers operates under Kroger's umbrella, this halting measure reflects an acknowledgment of the need for more transparent and ethical political funding practices.

Kroger Stopping Some Political Contributions In Wake Of U.S. Capitol Attack

King Soopers/City Market, under Kroger, halted PAC contributions following the U.S. Capitol attack, signaling a proactive review of its political funding strategy. This action represents a positive step in reducing corporate complicity in bolstering extremist political influence and promoting democratic accountability.

Kroger Stopping Some Political Contributions In Wake Of U.S. Capitol Attack