Kroger Fights Measure 118 with Profits from Price Gouging

As Fred Meyer refuses to increase wages for Portland-area workers, their parent company admits to greed-flation that raked in billions

PORTLAND – Grocery giant Kroger, a main financier of Measure 118 opposition, admitted to price gouging customers above inflation this week while refusing higher pay for striking Portland Fred Meyer’s workers, despite a $31 billion annual profit. At the same time, Albertsons – who also paid half a million dollars to oppose the Oregon Rebate – threatened to lay off workers if the Kroger merger is blocked, despite concerns that the acquisition would further exacerbate food costs. 

In response, Oregon Rebate said, “Mega corporations like Kroger will lie, scam, and steal to pad their billions in profit and avoid accountability for their shameless price gouging. They just admitted in court to taking billions from working families trying to buy milk and bread while refusing to raise worker wages citing “narrow profit margins.” Yet, they're spending millions against Measure 118 which asks them to start paying a tax rate closer to what normal Oregonians and small businesses pay. Giant grocers like Kroger and Albertsons are talking out of both sides of their mouth and Oregonians are prepared to call their bluff in November by passing the Oregon Rebate.”

Fred Meyer’s workers striking in Portland this week currently pay a higher tax rate than their employer. Measure 118 would increase the minimum corporate tax rate after $25 million of in-state revenue by 3%. The proposed increase would raise at least $6 billion annually, which would generate $1,600 rebates for all 4.2 million Oregonians each year once fully implemented in 2027, according to estimates from the Legislative Revenue Office’s report. 

Learn more about the first-of-its-kind Oregon rebate officially qualifying for the November ballot and find us at yesonmeasure118.com and on Twitter and Instagram. 

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