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Calif. Court Upholds Local Law Protecting Grocery Workers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The California Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Los Angeles law designed to protect the jobs of grocery workers.

The state's high court decided 6-1 Monday that the grocery "worker retention" ordinance, which limits a company's ability to replace workers following an ownership change, is legally enforceable.

The California Grocers Association sued the city in 2006. The group argued the law is pre-empted by federal labor laws, conflicts with state health and safety laws and improperly dictates rules of employment.

The court found that the law is "fully consistent" with state and federal laws, reversing an earlier decision by an appeals court.

A call seeking comment from the association was not immediately returned. The association represents 500 members with about 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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