Union files charges against Haggen, Vons and Albertsons
Union files charges against Haggen, Vons and Albertsons
Union leaders have filed charges against Haggen, Albertsons and Vons for illegally laying off and reducing hours for workers, failing to fully inform workers about job protections, and failing to adhere to legally binding protections negotiated by their union. The grievances also cite the companies for prior plans to close a large number of stores shortly after Haggen’s acquisition of nearly 150 Albertson’s locations.
Earlier this month Haggen announced plans to close 22 stores and layoff or fire as many as 1,100 employees. However, the union's claim that it planned all along to shut and sell those stores "is completely and unequivocally false," Kris Ellenberg, a spokesperson for Haggen, told The Produce news. "Throughout this process, Haggen has abided by the terms of the union contracts and is continuing to do everything it can to ensure the success of all of our stores and employees."
Brian Dowling of Albertsons said the charges the company reviewed thus far "are completely without merit."
Haggen acquired nearly 150 stores divested by the Albertson’s chain earlier this year at the order of the government, and prior contractual guarantees gave employees the choice to stay at their current Haggen-owned store or transfer to another Albertson’s or Vons store. The union said workers were led to believe they would retain their jobs, seniority and contract protections if they chose to work with Haggen.
"Haggen has great respect for the labor unions’ role in supporting our associates," Ellenberg said. "We care about the people who work for Haggen and are disappointed that factors beyond our control have led to layoffs and closures in some of the new communities where we had expected our stores to thrive."
