King Soopers union members established picket lines at 77 grocery stores throughout the Denver metro area Thursday to protest unfair labor practices. State of play: The labor dispute is expected to last two weeks and affect about 10,

King Soopers says it's an issue of customer safety. The union says it's an attempt to silence and intimidate picketers.

Thursday is day one of union members striking at 77 King Soopers stores across the Denver metro area. Workers are asking customers not to cross the picket line as they demand better conditions. The company said the union is not being cooperative in the bargaining process.