New York (CNN Business) Nearly 8,000 workers at 78 King Soopers and City Market grocery stores in Colorado will return to work starting Friday, after union leaders and management reached a tentative three-year work agreement. The strike, which began January 12 , was the nation's second-largest in the last two years — behind only a five-week work stoppage by 10,000 auto workers at John Deere that ended in NovemberKroger KR The-owned stores remained open during the strike, using management, temporary workers and employees brought in from stores outside of the Denver area. It started after union leadership rejected the company's offer to replace a recently expired contract. Joe Kelley, president of King Soopers and City Market, added: "We are pleased that this agreement allows us to put more money in our associates' paychecks and secures healthcare and pension plans. We look forward to welcoming back our associates and customers."

Source: CNN January 22, 2022 03:52 UTC