The International Brotherhood of Teamsters revealed on Monday that it is formally opposing the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons. The Teamsters represent more than 22,000 employees across both companies.
First announced in 2022 and the proposed deal faced opposition from many food industry leaders and legal entities. Both companies hope the process will be completed by 2024.
“Kroger and Albertsons' management likes to talk the talk on job security when they’re sitting in front of Congress but talk means little when it comes protecting our members,” said Teamsters general president Sean M. O’Brien in a statement. “We expected better from these two longtime Teamster employers. Clearly, they are more interested in guaranteeing big payouts for management.”
The decision to formally oppose the merger comes after months of discussions between the union and both companies to ensure worker protection.
“In our discussions with Kroger and Albertsons, we made clear that our members need more than vague promises about their future,” said Tom Erickson, Teamsters international VP and director of the Teamsters Warehouse Division, in a statement. “If either company were truly sincere about protecting our members, they would agree to recognize our existing union contracts or agree to successorship language for any of our member units sold to third parties, once the merger is complete. Instead of finding a path to ensure our members succeed in lockstep with the companies, Kroger and Albertsons apparently want to go down this road alone.”
In response to the Teamster's opposition, a Kroger spokesperson stated the following in an email to SFA News Daily: “We have and will continue to engage constructively with the Teamsters regarding the merger benefits and our divestiture plan, which includes no store closures or frontline associate layoffs as a result of the transaction. The merger is a win for our associates, customers, and communities. The only parties who would benefit if this merger is not completed are large, non-unionized competitors such as Walmart and Amazon.”
A spokesperson at Albertsons also provided insight into the relationship between the company and the union.
“We have a rich history of creating quality jobs and working collaboratively alongside Teamsters," said the Albertsons spokesperson. "Our proposed merger with Kroger will secure the long-term future of union jobs by establishing a more competitive alternative to large, non-union retailers. The combined company will also invest in associate wages, training, and benefits to ensure it is able to bring even more value to the customers and communities our associates so proudly serve.”
Last month, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the largest grocery worker union in the country, also voted unanimously to oppose the merger.
Related: Largest Union Rejects Kroger, Albertsons Merger; Combined Kroger-Albertsons Could Change How Americans Shop