The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 1.3 million essential workers in grocery, meatpacking, retail, and other essential industries across North America, shared Tuesday that it opposes the merger between Aldi, Winn-Dixie, and Harveys Supermarket.
“We are firmly against the Aldi Winn-Dixie proposed merger, and any merger that further consolidates the grocery industry at the expense of essential workers, our communities, and customers. With food inflation at record levels, consumers need more choices, not fewer, and more food access, not less,” said Marc Perrone, UFCW International president, in a statement. “Given the role of essential grocery workers in our communities, it is inexplicable that one would propose mergers that will lead to a loss of these critical jobs. As we have seen for decades, grocery store mergers are a clear threat to both workers and consumers.”
Aldi shared on August 16 that it would acquire approximately 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket locations across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi as part of its strategy to target the domestic Southeast. The acquisition is expected to be completed in early 2024, depending on regulatory approval and other closing conditions.
In the statement, Perrone urged the Federal Trade Commission to review the proposed merger, adding that they should also consider this decision in light of the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, which was first announced in 2022 but has since faced opposition from many food industry stakeholders and legal entities.
Related: State Officials Oppose Kroger-Albertsons Merger; Aldi to Acquire Winn-Dixie, Harveys Supermarket