Haggen grocery core stores could be sold to Albertsons

BELLINGHAM — The union that represents Haggen employees says government regulators have approved a potential deal for Albertsons to buy the remaining Haggen grocery stores.

The Bellingham Herald reported that Haggen didn’t have a comment on the union statement.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Local 367 says the Federal Trade Commission has approved the potential acquisition of the stores and that the two companies are finalizing the purchase agreement.

The union says the previously-scheduled auction of 30-some core stores in Washington and Oregon is canceled due to the agreement. Union officials say the news will hopefully end the uncertainty for their members and communities.

Haggen filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year after purchasing nearly 150 stores from Albertsons and Safeway. The Bellingham-based company failed to convert the stores, many of which have been auctioned.