Judge Blocks Kroger-Albertsons Merger, Albertsons Pulls Out of Proposed Deal

UFCW locals representing more than 100,000 workers at Albertsons and Kroger-owned stores in 14 states and the District of Columbia celebrated the decision by Albertsons to cancel the proposed merger after a federal judge issued a ruling blocking the plan.

A statement from the UFCW Stop the Merger Coalition said that “This mega-merger would have been a disaster that threatened thousands of grocery jobs, raised prices, increased food deserts, and further monopolized an industry that is already ruled by only a handful of corporations. Without the work of our members testifying before the Federal Trade Commission, meeting with members of Congress, speaking out in the media, protesting in the streets, and more, this would have never happened.”

In response to the news, UFCW International Union President Marc Perrone said “We are pleased that the court heard the concerns voiced by our hard-working members and rejected the proposed megamerger between Kroger and Albertsons. The issues we raised were echoed throughout this process by lawmakers, economists, attorneys general, consumers, and the FTC.”

“Moving forward, our focus will remain the same since the merger proposal was announced and that is looking for a stable and long-term solution that protects our members’ wages, benefits, and pensions,” Perrone added. “These grocery chains are highly successful because of the hard work of our members and workers across the country, and no merger or divestiture of stores should be allowed to endanger or threaten their vital role.”