2 Black Former Lucky’s Workers Alleging Racial Bias

Two African American former employees of Lucky Stores Inc. have sued the Dublin, Calif.-based supermarket chain, claiming they were either fired or were passed over for promotion because of their race.

Melvin Robbins, 43, of Temecula was a truck driver at Lucky’s Irvine warehouse when he was fired in late 1996 for allegedly tampering with a gauge on his truck. He had been suspended and placed in an employee assistance program.

Robert Johnson, 36, of Huntington Beach was a warehouseman at the Irvine plant when he was suspended for six months in 1994, allegedly for parking his car in a van-pool space. He claims to have been the subject of at least six racially motivated incidents over an eight-year period at the Irvine warehouse and alleges he was passed over for promotion because of his race.

The case was filed Dec. 31 in Orange County Superior Court. Santa Ana attorney Mark Huston, who represents both men, said he decided to publicize the case to put pressure on Lucky. A Lucky spokeswoman said the company has not been served with the complaint and would not comment.

Robbins and Johnson are seeking a jury trial, unspecified lost wages and benefits and unspecified punitive damages.