OPINION: Kroger-Albertsons merger is the right move for workers and consumers

The proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger needs to needs to be consummated. I like many of you are astounded at the rise in the price of groceries and anything we can do to create a structure so that companies can work to lower them is essential. I believe this merger will do just that.

Recently the chorus of condemnation of the proposed merger has grown from government entities from the U.S. Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, the Oregon AG and the Oregon Health Authority. I find it incredibly ironic that government entities are attempting to block a merger of companies in the private sector and they are doing it largely because they believe we consumers will be hurt by prices increasing.

Where were these same bureaucrats when lax monetary policy and rampant deficit spending flooded our economy with money? Any entry level economics class will teach you that deficit spending, increasing the money supply and massive increases in government spending will be inflationary. Yet somehow the bureaucrats, who are all culpable, now believe that the Kroger-Albertsons merger is now going to result in higher prices for consumers. It doesn’t make sense.

I would likely support the merger if only because the government does not want it to go through. I like many of you, just don’t trust much of what the government is telling me. Especially when it comes to how our economy works. But there are other reasons to support the merger as well.

There is plenty of competition in the grocery business and it is extremely competitive. Combining the companies helps them compete and ultimately provide better products at lower prices to consumers.

Albertsons has stated they will sell no matter what. If Albertsons is unable to find a buyer, they will be forced to shut down all but the most profitable stores. This will result in less access to grocery options especially in underserved communities.

And finally, the merger is supported by the 33,000 members of The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 555. These are the people whose jobs are on the line with this merger. Not one government job will be gained or lost based on the outcome of this merger, but union jobs are at stake. If the government is trying to kill this merger, while management of Kroger-Albertson’s AND the union have formed an alliance in support, I’m going to side with management and the union every time.