Grocery worker protections move forward in Washington in preparation for merger disruptions

A bill protecting Washington state grocery workers is heading to Gov. Inslee's desk amid the Kroger-Albertsons merger.

By a vote of 60-33 on Thursday, House lawmakers approved legislation requiring most grocery workers in the state to be retained for at least six months after stores begin operating under the merger. Kroger and Albertsons want to sell off 413 stores as part of the merger, including 104 in Washington.

Rep. Mary Fosse (D-Everett) said this bill provides stability for workers who were on the frontlines during the pandemic.

“They were the ones making sure we had food on our table for our children, for our families — the ones making sure that we had the necessities we needed during that time,” Fosse said.

The bill also would require compensation for workers who are let go.

Lawmakers who voted against the bill said they support grocery workers too, but see the bill as an "overreach of government." Among them was Rep. Suzanne Schmidt (R-Spokane Valley), who argued the bill would have repercussions beyond the Kroger-Albertsons merger.

“I don’t think it’s the government’s responsibility or duty to dictate or to interfere in a buy-sell agreement,” Schmidt said.

The legislation only kicks in if the merger goes through. So far, the $25 billion deal faces legal hurdles, including lawsuits from the states of Washington and Colorado.