Universal Lumpers, headquartered in Aurora, Colo., said Thursday it will shut down its operations in Auburn on September 24, laying off 97 employees, according to the state Employment Security Department.

The employees, called "lumpers," load and unload groceries from 18-wheelers into Safeway warehouses in six states, but will lose its Auburn contract in September. Universal Lumpers also works for Safeway in Spokane and 10 other warehouses from California to Texas.

Universal's human resources manager, Rebecca Fairchild, said she doesn't know the name of the company replacing them in Auburn or whether they will hire any of the laid off employees.

Lumpers get paid a base pay depending on the minimum wage of the state and a piece work rate depending on how many pallets they handle.

Johanna Somers: 206-464-3714 or jsomers@seattletimes.com