Some Central Coast grocery workers have a chance to remain in the industry, following the announcement Haggen will be closing all its California locations.
The Federal Trade Commission recently announced Albertsons and Vons can rehire former employees that began working for Haggen when that chain took over several of their stores this past spring.
The contract between the large grocers originally prohibited this from happening, as part of antitrust restrictions.
Carlos Illingworth is Director of Communications and Government Affairs for Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions.
"We are pleased the FTC has approved our application, enabling us to rehire former Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions employees who may otherwise have lost their jobs or been economically disadvantaged as a result of Haggen’s recently announced store closures," said Illingworth.
"We will continue to work cooperatively with the unions representing these employees, and look forward to welcoming many of them back into the Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions family."
The FTC said they expedited the application to help employees find employment quickly.
A total of 12 Haggen stores will close on the Central Coast. Employees will receive 60-days notice of their store's pending closure date.
