Kroger says it wouldn’t lay off front-line workers from stores that might need to be divested as part of a deal to acquire Albertsons. Photo: Asa Featherstone, IV for The Wall Street JournalThe United Food and Commercial Workers International Union said it opposes the planned merger between Kroger and Albertsons , adding to tensions over the $20 billion supermarket deal. UFCW International, the biggest U.S. union representing grocery workers, is concerned about what President Marc Perrone said was a lack of information provided by the companies about the merger, including on potential store divestitures. The labor group is also worried about the viability of stores that could be sold and whether buyers might be saddled with heavy debt loads, he said.

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