Essential Grocery Store Workers Unions Issue Joint Statement in Response to Proposed Kroger/Albertsons Merger
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2022
Contact: Nate Bernstein | nbernstein@ufcw7.com | (303) 425-0897 ext. 427
Proposed Kroger/Albertsons Merger Would Be Devastating for Essential Workers and Customers
Wheat Ridge, CO – Today it was reported that grocery store giant Kroger could announce a deal this week to buy rival grocery store company Albertsons, resulting in a potential merger that would significantly harm local grocery store industries, essential grocery store workers, and customers across the western US from Southern California to the Canadian border to Colorado.
Kim Cordova, President of UFCW Local 7 and Vice President of UFCW International Union, issued the following statement:
“The proposed merger of these two grocery giants is devastating for workers and consumers alike and must be stopped. Just as our UFCW workers stood together to negotiate landmark new contracts with both Kroger and Albertsons/Safeway last year across the western US, we will stand united to fight for access to nutritious food, a safe shopping experience, and investments in good jobs in our communities. Essential UFCW grocery store workers emerged stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic, winning landmark protections against the virus, store violence and other threats. Standing together, we know our voices are stronger than the corporations’ anti-worker rhetoric.”
This proposed merger of two of the largest grocery companies in the nation will no doubt create a monopoly in the grocery industry for many communities, with one company owning a $47 billion market share.
UFCW’s members have been a leading national voice in enforcing federal and state antitrust laws as well as forwarding the values of protecting a fair marketplace that prevents corporations from using monopoly power to exploit customers and workers. We are asking the appropriate administrative and elected officials to step in and stop this merger and protect workers and consumers.
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The UFCW is the largest private sector union in the United States. UFCW International represents 1.3 million professionals and their families in healthcare, grocery stores, meatpacking, food processing, retail shops and other industries. Our members serve our communities in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Learn more about the UFCW at ufcw.org.