#shorts On 11/29/2022, Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas on Senate’s antitrust committee led a grilling of the CEOs of Kroger and Albertsons over their planned $25 billion grocery megamerger. Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen told the committee that these investments into lowering grocery prices and increasing wages for employees would be spread out in a four-year time frame. Cotton asked, “Mr. McMullen you’re aware that Kroger has something called an allyship guide for its employees?

McMullen: yes senator

Cotton: in the allyship guide you direct employees to stop using Sir and Ma’am because they’re not inclusive do you expect 72 year old employees in rural areas of Arkansas to really stop using words like Sir and Ma’am?

McMullen: … trying to be inclusive for everybody with all different beliefs and when you look … incredibly important to be an inclusive opening culture to welcome all associates

Cotton: if employees in your stores in rural Arkansas refer to other employees or customers or service ma’am do they face disciplinary action?
McMullen: I not that I’m aware of Sir.

Cotton: I would have to ask: are you still requiring employees to wear the apron with the rainbow heart symbol on it?
McMullen: … the heart is a symbol of art the Kroger’s fundamental purpose is to feed the human spirit … the colors were not tied to any specific thing

Cotton: well I’m not sure I believe that because it was introduced during pride month as a supposed sign of inclusivity and a federal judge didn’t agree with it either that’s why he rejected your company’s motion motion for summary judgment and you just paid 180 000 to two employees that you wrongly terminated by the way would you like to offer an apology here to Brenda Lawson and Trudy Richard for the ordeal they went through?

other clips of this published longer video is here: https://youtu.be/NTJ7fX9uqO0

72 year old employees in rural stop using Sir or Ma’am because they’re not inclusive