Essential Voice
an Essential Workers for Democracy newspaper to share with your coworkers!
Issue #7 - Summer 2026
Kroger-Albertsons Merger Update: Paused in Colorado Court
The proposed $24.6 billion Kroger-Albertsons merger has been put on pause by a lawsuit brought by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser that would permanently block the merger. Kroger and Albertsons are temporarily suspending work on the merger while the case is settled.
Labor Notes Workshop: “What To Do When Your Union Breaks Your Heart”
Join our friends at Labor Notes for a monthly workshop on how to navigate being shut out, shut down, or sold out.
TDU: “Kroger Teamsters Unite and Win”
Read how our Kroger Teamster siblings in warehousing won BIG in their latest contract through informing and involving the members. United, they won — and so can we!
Labor Notes: “Grocery Workers File Union Democracy Lawsuit”
Members seeking to transform the United Food and Commercial Workers have added a new weapon to their arsenal: legal action.
The 60 UFCW Officials Making Over $250k/Year (2024)
In 2023, 60 UFCW officials were paid over $250,000 in total compensation — all the way up to $740,892. Altogether, our union spent $20,153,611 in 2023 in combined compensation for the $250k Club.
Zoom Training: “How to Have an Organizing Conversation”
Click here to register for our Zoom training, “Kroger & Albertsons by the Numbers” on Monday, April 7, 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.
Jacobin: No Union Democracy, No Union Revitalization
Not too long ago, Chris Bohner wrote about democracy in labor leading to more militant unions, but then the UFCW International President got into a conversation with him about it, leading to his next piece
Labor Notes: Strikes And A Boycott Win A Better Deal from Macy’s
When workers think of fun, engaging, creative ways to mobilize, it's usually successful. But beyond a surprise strike, the Local also advocates for reform.
Chris Bohner: "1 Member, 1 Vote" And Finance Unionism
What does it look like when your union amasses wealth, yet union membership continues to decline? Chris Bohner coined a new term for this: Finance Unionism. Here’s what it takes for unions to get back on the track.