WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), which represents 1.3 million essential workers in cannabis, grocery stores, meatpacking plants, and other essential industries across North America, released the following statement following the recent passage of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement’s (LCLAA) resolution regarding the Kroger Albertsons megamerger.
UFCW International President Marc Perrone released the following statement:
“The UFCW applauds the LCLAA for taking a bold stand against the Kroger Albertsons megamerger that threatens our essential workers and local communities. If allowed to go through, a merger of this size could lead to lower wages for grocery store workers, higher food prices for hard-working families, less competition, and less access to food for underserved, minority, and rural communities across the country. Right now, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has the ability to take action to attempt to block this merger because of its direct threat to competition and we firmly believe it should take the necessary steps to stop it from coming to fruition.”
LCLLA National President Yanira Merino released the following statement: “Throughout the pandemic, our nation witnessed a remarkable acknowledgment of the vital role played by our workforce. They were hailed as heroes, deemed indispensable and essential. Yet, because of current working conditions, these very workers still struggle to meet the escalating cost of living in our country. The merger of Kroger and Albertsons will only worsen the food insecurity our community already faces, and make it more difficult for Latino workers to exercise their bargaining rights. As a movement, we must come together and ask our Administration to prioritize the welfare of our workers, who have been the backbone of our economy. We call upon them to ensure that all workers are granted access to essential benefits, bargaining rights, and stable, long-term employment opportunities.”
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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.