Merillat Industries' parent company has asked a federal judge to dismiss a class-action lawsuit filed by former employees of the former Merillat plant in Rapid City.

The Masco Builder Cabinet Group sold the plant in September.

The lawsuit, filed in September for 127 employees, says Masco broke a contract involving a severance package. The employees say they were promised earlier that they would get one week's pay for every year with Merillat. Their lawyer has said the promise prompted them not to seek other job opportunities.

Lawyers for Masco Group said the plaintiffs have not identified an enforceable contract and have not alleged any facts to support their claim that a contract was breached.