EEOC Files Sex Bias Suit Against 4 Grocery Chains

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed sex discrimination suits against four grocery chains, accusing them of bias against women in promotions and assignments.

“It’s a landmark case, all right,” said Don Muse, EEOC district director. He said the commission would seek millions of dollars in damages in the lawsuits filed in federal district court against Safeway, Albertson’s, Fred Meyer and Thrifty Food Stores.

The suits affect about 3,000 workers in the Seattle area, but union leaders say the problem is nationwide.

“No matter where you go--Seattle or Missoula or Tallahassee--women are working part time behind the check stands and men are working full time stocking or in management,” said Eric Smith, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers’ Local 1105.

Only four of Albertson’s 120 store managers locally are women, and 95% of the company’s female employees work fewer than 25 hours per week, Muse said. He said figures for the other stores were not immediately available.

A spokeswoman at Albertson’s Boise, Idaho, headquarters said food chain executives were not available for comment Thursday. Kirk Wilson, a Thrifty Food executive, said he was surprised by the suits. “We haven’t heard anything (from the EEOC) about this in over a year.”

Cherie Myers, a Safeway public relations manager, said company officials have met several times with EEOC investigators to explain Safeway’s employment practices. “Our company has a really strong policy, including an affirmative action program, that complies with the civil rights laws. I totally believe we’ll be vindicated.”