ALBERTSONS: Stop the merger

Thanks to the Coeur d’Alene Press for the recent and on-going coverage about the disastrous proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons. As a longtime union grocery store worker, I want to stress how much damage this would cause if allowed. These two mega chains, each with over 2,000 stores already, are proposing to combine into one mega-mega chain that would have over 4,000 stores — that would threaten to be a near monopoly in many areas across the nation, reduce consumer choice, increase prices and potentially lead to hundreds of store closures and thousands of laid off workers.

Thankfully, my union, UFCW 3000 has been working in partnership with many other unions and community organizations to oppose this proposed merger since day one almost two years ago. And now the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorneys General from eight states and the District of Columbia are in federal court this week to challenge the merger. I say go get ‘em! I hope that they win their preliminary injunction case and we stop this merger from moving forward. If you want to join the call for them to stop the merger, go to www.NoGroceryMerger.com and sign a petition. Thanks,

CARLA ROMAGNANO

Coeur d’Alene