Ralphs Admits to Improper Rehiring of Some in Lockout

Ralphs Grocery Co. has acknowledged that some managers allowed locked-out clerks to work during the Southern California grocery strike.

In a letter to employees, John Burgon, president of Ralphs Supermarkets, said the company was cooperating with a federal probe of the conduct.

“We have now determined that some of the reports of misconduct are correct,� Burgon wrote in the letter, dated Tuesday. “Some members of Ralphs management did violate company policies and encouraged or permitted some locked-out employees to work during the strike.�

Burgon wrote that disciplinary action would be taken against those found to have violated the company’s policies.

Ralphs spokesman Terry O’Neil declined to comment on the substance of Burgon’s communication. “It was a confidential letter,� he said.

Union leaders ordered the strike against Safeway Inc.’s Vons and Pavilions chains on Oct. 11. Albertsons Inc. and Ralphs, a unit of Kroger Co., then locked out their employees in Southern California. In all, about 59,000 workers were idled at 859 stores for 4 1/2 months.

In addition to the federal probe, the company faces two lawsuits by the United Food and Commercial Workers union that accused Ralphs of illegally rehiring workers and putting them on the payroll under phony names.

On Thursday, UFCW Local 770 President Rick Icaza said the union would revise its complaints in light of Burgon’s letter. “This vindicates what we’ve said,� he said, adding that the dispute “could have been settled much sooner� if Ralphs hadn’t illegally hired unionized workers.

Word of the letter was first reported by the Orange County Register and the North County Times in San Diego.

--- UNPUBLISHED NOTE --- A correction ran December 6, 2003 stating that 852 stores were affected by the strike, not 859. Here is the full text of the correction: Supermarket strike -- In its coverage of the supermarket strike and lockout that began Oct. 11, The Times has said repeatedly that the labor dispute affected 859 union grocery stores in Southern and Central California. In fact, 852 stores are affected.

--- END NOTE ---