Rosauers Supermarkets to pay more than $422K in labor violations

Spokane, Washington-based Rosauers Supermarkets must pay more than $422,000 in back wages and penalties, following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, the agency announced last week.

Rosauers was found to have committed a variety of violations at 16 stores in Washington, four in Montana, two in Idaho and one in Oregon, including failing to pay employees for meal breaks less than 20 minutes long; and failing to include evening premium pay, hazard pay and non-discretionary bonuses in regular pay rates when calculating overtime wages, investigators said.

The grocer was also found to be in violation of federal child labor regulations at a store in Ridgefield, Washington, in which five 16- and 17-year-olds were permitted to operate a powered scrap paper baler and paper box compactor.

“The U.S. Department of Labor is determined to enforce laws that protect workers’ rights to be paid fully and to prevent young employees from being employed in dangerous jobs,” Wage and Hour Division District Director Carrie Aguilar said in a statement. “The Fair Labor Standards Act allows for developmental experiences but restricts the employment of young workers in certain jobs and provides for penalties when employers do not follow the law.

Rosauers is owned by URM Stores, which also operates Super 1 Food Stores and one Huckleberry’s Natural Market.

The Department of Labor said it has recovered more than $350,000 in back wages and damages for 602 Rosauers employees and levied penalties of $72,682 for the grocer’s “willful violations.”

The agency said it cited Rosauers for similar child labor issues at 10 stores in 1003.

“Too often, our investigators find grocery industry employers taking advantage of these essential workers by failing to pay them correctly,” Aguilar added. “In addition to denying hundreds of employees pay for short meal breaks, Rosauers Supermarkets jeopardized the safety of children by employing them to illegally operate dangerous machines.”

Rosauers, in a statement sent to local media, said the settlement is the result of an investigation that began in 2021.

“We have policies in place to protect all our employees, especially any 16- and 17-year-olds we employ.  One such policy prohibits minors from operating hazardous machinery.  The infractions in question, when discovered, occurred at one store, and was quickly rectified, roughly two years ago.  We have since taken even more steps to ensure our employees are safe through prevention, training and awareness,” the grocer said. “Rosauers enjoys having some of the longest-tenured and best employees in our industry. We believe this is due to our emphasis on keeping everyone safe and appreciated. The Department of Labor exists to keep everyone safe and employed.  We cooperated with them fully to be sure we were abiding by all rules and regulations.”