Dec 13 (Reuters) - United Food and Commercial Workers

local unions on Friday urged Kroger's ( KR ) board to replace

CEO Rodney McMullen following the company's announcement of a

$7.5 billion stock buyback plan after terminating a deal to buy

Albertsons ( ACI ).

The UFCW local unions that led the "Stop the Merger

coalition" argued that the "abrupt" and "massive" share

repurchase program comes at a time when Kroger ( KR ) needs investments

in staffing, repairs and store remodels.

Kroger ( KR ) and Albertsons ( ACI ) terminated their $25-billion merger

plan on Wednesday after a U.S. judge blocked the deal.

Albertsons ( ACI ) then filed a lawsuit against Kroger ( KR ), alleging a

breach of contract that led to the deal's demise.

Kroger ( KR ) announced a new repurchase program later on Wednesday

and said it intends to enter an accelerated share buyback

program of about $5 billion of common stock.

"It is outrageous that Rodney McMullen would try to distract

attention from his multiple failures as CEO by announcing a

massive one-time giveaway to shareholders," said Kim Cordova,

president of UFCW Local 7 in Colorado and Wyoming.

Kroger ( KR ) did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.