UPDATE 01/29/24:
A Kroger spokesperson sent KNX News the following statement:
“It is unfortunate to see false and misleading information continue to be used to argue against the merger between Kroger and Albertsons.
The facts are clear – this merger is inherently pro-union, and we have the track record to prove it. Kroger added more than 100,000 good-paying union jobs since 2012 and invested $1.9 billion to grow associate wages and industry-leading, comprehensive benefits since 2018. Additionally, both Kroger and C&S committed that no stores will close and no frontline associates will be laid off as a result of the merger.
Opposing the merger only serves to further strengthen larger, non-unionized retailers like Walmart and Amazon, who continue to grow unchecked.”
ORIGINAL COPY 01/26/24:
A proposed merger between Kroger-owned Ralphs and Albertsons, which owns Vons, has grocery workers and their union fighting to save jobs and bargaining power.
During a meeting Friday between the union UFCW and workers, John Marshall, the union's Capital Strategies Director, said if the merger goes through, dealing with only one company instead of two will lessen the union's leverage.
"We believe it would result in a dramatic decrease in bargaining power for hundreds of thousands of our members, and the ripple effects would be felt among grocery workers all across the country."
Marshall says a lawsuit filed by the Washington State District Attorney to stop the merger is a step in the right direction.
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"This is a very strong case. The Washington AG makes it very clear - Kroeger and Albertson's currently control over half the grocery sales in the state of Washington, and their merger would result in higher prices and reduced choices for consumers," he said.
Retail analyst Burt Flickinger disagrees, saying a condition of the merger would see 400 stores sold off to C&S Wholesale Grocers, which will help increase competition in California and lower prices.
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