UFCW Stop the Merger Coalition Statement on FTC Trial Conclusion

The following statement can be attributed to the Stop the Merger Coalition, led by UFCW Locals 7, 324, 400, 770, 1564, and 3000, representing over 100,000 Kroger and Albertsons workers in a dozen states across the country:

“The evidence that came out in the federal trial clarified what we already knew – this proposed mega-merger would harm workers and shoppers, and we cannot trust anything the CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons say unless it is legally binding. The corporations admitted under oath, despite repeated comments to the public and media to the contrary, that some stores may close after a merger, prices may not actually go down after a merger, and claims they have made to protect union jobs are not legally enforceable.

“The proposed mega-merger of Kroger and Albertsons has been a bad idea since before it was announced publicly nearly two years ago. Evidence that came out during the trial only elevated the level of concern from unions and the public at large about the looming harm that would be caused if the merger goes through, as well as increased the level of distrust of the CEOs and other executives running the companies.”

“We are hopeful that the outcome from this federal case will stop the proposed merger, and we will continue to watch and comment on the state cases in Washington, which began yesterday in Seattle, and Colorado, scheduled to begin on September 30 in Denver.”

UFCW Local 7 will hold a Stop the Merger Rally on the first day of Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser’s state legal challenge to the proposed $24.6 billion mega-merger between Kroger and Alberstons on Monday, September 30, at 12:00pm MT on Monday, 9/30.

The Stop the Merger coalition is led by UFCW Locals 7, 324, 400, 770, 1564, and 3000. Combined, these six locals represent over 100,000 Kroger and Albertsons workers in a dozen states across the country. To find out more about the coalition, our efforts to stop the proposed mega-merger, read press clips and fact sheets and more, go to: www.NoGroceryMerger.com