 In a statement from Kroger, they say, quote, no frontline workers will lose their jobs and no stores will close as a result of the merger, which is also true for stores that remain with Kroger. But Bill Valdez, who is a union grocer in Colorado, says he's been told that before. During my time as a union member, I've been through mergers and closures, which have put my livelihood in jeopardy.