Bashas' Found Liable; Administrative Law Judge Orders Back Pay with Interest.

PHOENIX -- An NLRB administrative law judge found that the Bashas' Corporation broke the law by violating the rights of their employees.

In the complaint, Administrative Law Judge William G. Kocol ordered Bashas' Inc. to cease and desist from "restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed them by Section 7 of the Act." The judge also ordered Bashas' Inc. to pay back wages to unit employees transferred from stores 125 and 68 as a result of their closings.

"We applaud the judge's decision. It is an affirmation of our longstanding position that Bashas' Inc. employees at these stores are represented by UFCW Local 99," said Jim McLaughlin, President of UFCW Local 99. "We are hopeful that Bashas' Inc. will do the right thing and immediately comply with the judge's order. Prolonging the process through appeals will only hurt Bashas' Inc. employees and deny them a speedy resolution."

The judge's decision affirms that employees at certain stores are represented by UFCW Local 99.

A full copy of the complaint can be viewed at http://www.ufcw99.com/documents/NEW164.PDF.

UFCW Local 99 is Arizona's largest private sector labor union, representing more than 17,000 workers in Fry's and Safeway grocery stores and a number of other industries.