Safeway workers are striking at the same time as contract negotiations between workers and King Soopers are coming to a head. The union is negotiating with King Soopers and parent Kroger after a strike in February. That strike lasted almost two weeks before a deal was reached to pause the labor action for 100 days. That pause expired last month.

Safeway workers voted to authorize a strike if the union gives 72 hours' notice, while an agreement with King Soopers to pause a strike expires Sunday.

With the clock winding down toward Saturday night's deadline for new contract negotiations, a Colorado union has announced locations where grocery employees are set to walk off the job on Sunday in protest.

Another grocery worker strike is in the works after UFCW Local 7 workers at Safeway and Albertsons Companies voted overwhelmingly in favor of the action — some stores voting unanimously in favor