All Unsold Dominick's Stores To Close By Dec. 28

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Nov 1, 2013 1:30PM

Employees of Dominick’s received notice this week they could be losing their jobs if the supermarket chain’s parent company can’t find buyers for the stores by the end of the year.

Safeway sent the notice to employees “in accordance with federal and state laws that govern notification to workers regarding potential facility closures and the possible loss of employment.” Safeway announced last month they were leaving the Chicago market after the company’s net income fell by 58 percent in the third quarter.

Safeway owns 72 Dominick’s stores in the Chicago area—four have been bought by Albertsons, which also owns Jewel-Osco. Employees were told in the letter the remaining stores would be closed “on or about Dec. 28” if a buyer can’t be found.

That means 4,000 Dominick’s employees are left wondering about their future job security during the holidays. Old Man Potter couldn’t have written a better scenario. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1546 spokesman Eric Bailey told the Sun-Times, “Merry Christmas, huh?”

Bailey expressed hope another supermarket chain would buy the stores “but again, you just don’t know” and the union’s contract with Safeway does provide some protections like severance pay and pension obligations.

Previously:
Dominick's Parent Company Leaving Chicago Market