Kroger, Albertsons defend merger deal in Portland federal court [Video]

PORTLAND, Ore. — Major supermarket chains Albertsons and Kroger were in a Portland federal court Monday, defending their plan to merge against a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that’s trying to block it. The FTC filed a lawsuit in Oregon back in February.

Many employees of local stores aren’t sold on the idea, and protested outside the courthouse Monday morning.

“Enough is enough, we can no longer stand by and allow corporate greed that puts profit before people,” one employee protestor said.

Opening statements ended a little past noon Monday. Afterward, the judge heard from witnesses that were cross-examined by the FTC. There are expected to be about 40 witnesses, including the CEOs of each company.

“That’s going to be real trouble, because a lot of us are on fixed incomes — we can’t afford …