LAWSUIT UPDATE

BOISE, Idaho -- The former employees suing Albertson's are scheduled to file a motion next week in federal district court here asking the judge to certify a class-action suit against the locally based chain.

he allegations.

A hearing is set for Oct. 9 for a ruling in the case. Joe Peterson, a spokesman for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, who is assisting the plaintiffs, said the suit would proceed as a class action if the judge certifies the motion; however, if the judge denies certification, hundreds of plaintiffs would have the option of suing the chain individually, Peterson told SN.

In a separate action, the Bakery, Confectionery and Tobacco Workers International Union and its pension fund have filed suit against Albertson's in U.S. District Court in Seattle, Wash., to collect allegedly delinquent contributions from the chain dating back to Jan. 1, 1993.

The union charges that the chain failed to make contributions to the pension fund for all hours worked, plus overtime, vacations, jury duty and funeral leave, and is therefore delinquent.

Albertson's vice president of public affairs, Mike Read, told SN, "Albertson's made the appropriate contributions to the pension trust and we will resolve this matter in court."