Oakland Mandates $5/Hr Hazard Pay for Grocery Workers
Thanks to KTVU and KRON4 for sharing the news that Oakland just passed an emergency ordinance that mandates hazard pay for grocery workers.
The new ordinance requires large grocery chains that are over 15,000 square feet and more than 500 employees to pay their employees an additional $5 per hour.
The pay increase would only be temporary until the city of Oakland enters the yellow tier under the state’s reopening guidelines.
Grocery workers have been at the forefront of the pandemic, and medical experts that claimed they are 5x more likely to contract the virus. However, the California Grocers Association notes that this additional hazard pay will increase their labor costs by 28%, and they’re concerned about being about to absorb the costs.
While other local communities like San Jose, Berkeley, and San Mateo County are considering similar ordinances, Trade Joe’s just announced they will increase their current hazard to $4 per hour nationwide.
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