Local union workers are cheering a federal judge’s decision to block a proposed $25 billion merger between Albertsons and Kroger Tuesday.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135 called the move “a significant victory for grocery workers and consumers.”
“This decision affirms what has been argued from the beginning: this merger would have stifled competition, raised grocery prices for millions of families, and harmed workers,” UFCW Local 135 said in a release.
U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson agreed with the Federal Trade Commission’s argument that Kroger taking over Albertsons would smother competition, rejecting the counterargument that selling 579 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers would offset the 2,000 stores that it would gain.
“Evidence shows that defendants engage in substantial head-to-head competition and the proposed merger would remove that competition,” Nelson wrote in the ruling.
“This is a huge win for workers, shoppers, and the communities we serve,” said Todd Walters, President of UFCW Local 135.
“UFCW, alongside a coalition of labor, lawmakers, and community organizations, has fought against this merger because it would have harmed our members and raised prices for working families already struggling with high costs. This ruling reinforces the importance of standing up to corporate greed.”
The union warned that Kroger and Albertsons may still appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, and there is a significant possibility of future merger attempts under a different administration.
“This ruling is a testament to the power of worker solidarity and public advocacy,” said Walters. “But the fight isn’t over. We must continue to watch for further corporate attempts to prioritize profits over people. We will always stand firm against any threats to our members’ livelihoods and the communities we serve.”
UFCW Local 135 represents more than 12,000 members in San Diego and Imperial Counties across industries, including grocery and retail, pharmacy, healthcare, food processing, cannabis, and more. It is part of the UFCW International Union, which boasts around 1.3 million members.
