Some Teamsters and other essential workers in the food distribution industry have won a $2/hour temporary raise. But the largest Teamster grocery employer, Kroger, so far has paid just a bonus, not a raise.
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Teamsters and other union grocery workers are winning hazard pay increases.
- UNFI (including Super Valu) and Albertsons (including Safeway, Jewel-Osco and Vons) will pay $2/hour more to their employees.
- Stop & Shop Teamsters, clerks and other employees got a 10 percent temporary raise.
- A number of non-union operations, including Target, Whole Foods, and Amazon, have announced the same $2 bump.
But the second largest retailer in the country (after Walmart) has not issued a raise.
Instead, Kroger Teamsters have gotten a $300 bonus and only $150 for part-timers, who routinely work as many hours as full-timers.
It’s the same $300/$150 bonus that Walmart has given.
Kroger makes over $3 billion in profit annually, and profits are soaring right now. Should excess profits all go to the top, or should they be shared with workers who are on the front lines of risk?
Kroger has 453,000 employees and operates under various labels, including Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Roundy’s, King Soopers and Fry’s.
Grocery clerks along with warehouse Teamsters and drivers are going to work every day to keep us fed, and are among the most likely people to be hospitalized with Covid-19.
It’s time to at least match what other food giants are doing, and spread that money to those risking serious illness to feed us.