K.V. Grocery Chain Denies Violating Labor Law

K.V. Mart Co., owner of 13-store grocery chain accused in a lawsuit of labor violations, responded Thursday by denying the allegations and criticizing the Buena Park-based union that helped prepare the lawsuit.

Ty Hitt, chief financial officer of K.V. Mart in Long Beach, said his company pays “fair wages” to its 1,050 employees. A lawsuit filed Wednesday by six former employees contends that K.V. Mart violated state minimum wage, overtime and other labor regulations at its Top Valu/Top Plus grocery stores.

Hitt said the United Food and Commercial Workers union, whose regional office is in Buena Park, has an ongoing campaign to disrupt business at Top Valu/Top Plus. Union officials say they are trying to stop Top Valu/Top Plus from gaining an unfair advantage in the marketplace by not paying fair wages.