King Soopers asks judge to block union blitzing

Denver The King Soopers grocery chain, part of Cincinnati-based Kroger Co., asked a federal judge Thursday to block a union from sending representatives into stores to talk to employees while they're working.

The Thursday hearing came one day after workers rejected the chain's latest contract offer.

A King Soopers labor relations manager and two store managers testified that loud groups of union representatives wearing black T-shirts have been disrupting business and trying to talk to employees during work about contract negotiations and other issues.

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 contended that it has a right to inform members of contract negotiations.

The union urged U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn to let the National Labor Relations Board handle the dispute. Blackburn has not yet indicated when he would rule.

Local 7 represents thousands of King Soopers workers seeking a new contract to replace one that expired May 9.