PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — On the day a federal district court judge in Portland will consider both sides and decide whether to grant the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction to stop the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons, union leaders from the US West will hold a press conference on the courthouse steps.
The 8 a.m. press conference will feature members of the United Food and Commercial Workers union from locals in Colorado, Wyoming, California, Idaho and Oregon.
Kroger and Albertsons hope to merge but must face a skeptical US government in court first
The union is part of the Stop the Merger Coalition, which opposes the deal on grounds it will lead to store closures, areas without enough food and pharmacy outlets, laid-off workers and higher prices.
The Federal Trade Commission also opposes the merger, joined in their efforts by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming, Oregon and the District of Columbia.
Kroger, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,800 stores in 35 states, including brands like Ralphs, Smith’s and Harris Teeter. Albertsons, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,273 stores in 34 states, including brands like Safeway, Jewel Osco and Shaw’s. Together, the companies employ around 710,000 people.
The hearing in Portland is expected to last until September 13.
KOIN 6 News will have more information later.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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