Local 455 Warns CO Attorney Gen., FTC About Kroger/Safeway Merger Danger

As the Federal Trade Commission and Attorneys General across the country consider the implications of Kroger's proposed acquisition of Albertson's/Safeway, Teamsters Local 455 made its position clear to FTC Chair Lina Khan and Colorado AG Phil Weiser: "The prospect of a combined Kroger/Safeway means ... workers would lose and Colorado would suffer for the lack of competition." 

Tammy Munoz, Teamsters Local 455 Political Liaison, addressed Khan and Weiser during a Wednesday "listening tour" to solicit Colorado residents concerns about the effects of a merger of the nation's two main grocery competitors -- not just on consumers, but also on working families in the region. 

It's the second time in a week and a half that Teamsters have shared their concerns about the damage a merger of the two grocery giants with the AG's office. In Colorado, Kroger operates King Soopers stores, while Albertson's/Safeway is best known as Safeway.

A little over a week ago, Teamsters attended an Aurora, Co. Town Hall hosted by District 28 Senator Rhonda Field and HD 36 Representative Mike Weissman to gather community opinions. Art Hale, a Teamsters Local 455 Windigo Teamster, warned Weiser and other electeds that working families had much to lose.

Munoz reinforced that message to FTC Chair Khan at Wednesday's listening session, telling attendees that mergers like the one proposed by Kroger could limit the region to one major combined grocery retailer. There would be, she said, "no competitive market to drive up standards for workers or drive down prices for consumers." 

At the close of Wednesday's meeting, Khan asked if anyone in the audience supported the merger. 

No hands were raised.