Food retailer operators worry that local pay mandates will result in more store closures and other consequences.
The pandemic pay mandate issues keeps escalating, with federal lawsuits being filed against local governments passing such laws.
The California Grocers Association (CGA) says it has filed federal lawsuits against the City of Oakland and City of Montebello both in California to challenge ordinances approved by them mandating an additional $5 per hour in extra pay for a select group of grocery store employees.
Meanwhile, the Northwest Grocery Association (NWGA) and the Washington Food Industry Association (WFIA) have filed a lawsuit against the City of Seattle challenging an ordinance approved by the Seattle City Council that took effect Feb. 3. The ordinance mandates extra pay of $4 per hour for many grocery store employees
Grocers sue Oakland over new $5-an-hour hazard pay mandate for supermarkets [San Francisco Chronicle]
Feb. 4 The California Grocers Association on Wednesday sued Oakland, just one day after the City Council voted to require larger food sellers to give workers a $5-an-hour pay increase as compensation for the added risks and stress of operating on the front lines during the coronavirus pandemic.
The trade group, which represents most grocery stores in California, is seeking to have the new law declared invalid and unconstitutional.
The lawsuit and related cases elsewhere come as momentum is growing for hazard-pay premiums for supermarket workers during the pandemic.
Kroger closing 2 California stores after city orders pay hike Share Updated: 9:46 AM EST Feb 4, 2021 The Associated Press Share Updated: 9:46 AM EST Feb 4, 2021 The Associated Press Kroger Co. will close two Southern California supermarkets in response to a local ordinance requiring extra pay for certain grocery employees working during the pandemic.The decision announced by the company Monday follows a unanimous vote last month by the Long Beach City Council mandating a 120-day increase of $4 an hour for employees of supermarkets with at least 300 employees nationwide and more than 15 in Long Beach.Kroger said it will close a Ralphs market and a Food 4 Less on April 17, the Press-Telegram reported.“As a result of the City of Long Beach’s decision to pass an ordinance mandating Extra Pay for grocery workers, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close long-struggling store locations in Long Beach,” the company