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Kroger Accused of Blocking Truck Drivers From Jobs in Antitrust Lawsuit

By  |  April 5, 2026

Kroger Co. is facing a proposed antitrust class action lawsuit brought by commercial truck drivers who claim the grocery giant restricted their employment opportunities following the collapse of a major logistics provider.

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    The complaint, filed Thursday in the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, alleges that Kroger instructed its logistics contractors not to hire drivers who had previously worked for Quickway Transportation Inc., a trucking company that later went bankrupt. According to Bloomberg, several former Quickway drivers said their job applications were rejected after contractors indicated they had been directed not to employ them.

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    The lawsuit claims that trucking firms working with Kroger, including Werner Trucking Co., Swift Transportation Services LLC, and US Xpress Enterprises Inc., adhered to these instructions. Per a to Bloomberg, the drivers allege these arrangements amounted to “no-hire” agreements that unlawfully limited competition in the labor market.

    Read more: California DMV Proposes New Regulations for Autonomous Trucks

    According to Bloomberg, the plaintiffs argue that such agreements constitute a per se violation of US antitrust law, specifically under provisions that prohibit restraints of trade. By allegedly coordinating hiring restrictions, the companies are accused of suppressing wages and limiting job mobility for drivers affected by Quickway’s shutdown.

    The drivers are seeking class action status, aiming to represent others who may have been similarly denied employment opportunities as a result of the alleged agreements. Per a to Bloomberg, the complaint frames the issue as part of a broader pattern of labor market restrictions that have drawn increasing scrutiny from regulators and courts.

    The case adds to ongoing legal and regulatory attention on employment practices within the logistics and transportation sector, particularly as companies rely on networks of contractors to manage supply chains.

    Source: Bloomberg