The union representing striking King Soopers workers has denounced a lawsuit filed by the grocery chain that calls the workers' actions "unsafe." The union said King Soopers was trying to "silence its own workers.

On Thursday, workers at 77 King Soopers stores across the Denver metro area started a strike after months of negotiations.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Colorado King Soopers filed a federal lawsuit Friday against UFCW Local 7 for the recent grocery store worker strike.

With a strike underway in several Front Range communities, King Soopers has sued the labor union that represents thousands of its employees.

Pueblo King Soopers employees with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 joined a statewide unfair labor practice strike on Feb. 7.

The times, dates and locations for the planned labor action by employees for the Kroger-owned chain in Colorado have not yet been set.

Legal battles continue as the strike at King Soopers locations across Colorado's Front Range near one week. As the strike continues, ripple effects are impacting more than just grocery store workers and store earnings;

King Soopers said they were working to file a temporary restraining order as strikes continue throughout Colorado.

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