Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) joined grocery store workers from across California on May 17, who traveled to the State Capitol to rally in support of a suite of bills that would address the harmful effects of grocery mergers.
This comes on the heels of a proposed deal between Albertsons and Kroger – the nation’s two largest grocery store chains with an outsized presence in California – to ink a $24.6 billion merger.
“The astronomical cost to grocery workers of the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger is a reminder that we have a responsibility to protect the communities we represent through public policy,” said Smallwood-Cuevas.
“That is why I am proud to author SB 725, which institutes a mandatory severance pay for workers who are laid off due to a grocery merger or acquisition. It sends a clear message that we will not allow grocery companies to enrich themselves on the backs of their employees.”
