WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — More than 30,000 Ohio grocery workers at Kroger stores across the state will see an increase to their pay and benefits. More than 460,000 Kroger grocery workers nationwide will also see this pay increase and added benefit. Kroger, and the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union, is an essential business and their grocery store workers are on the front lines of the Coronavirus outbreak.
According to UFCW International President Marc Perrone, “Kroger, UFCW is proud to join the company today in announcing a $2 per hour wage increase, additional emergency paid leave, new workplace safety measures, and other critical worker protections.”
Other improvements that Kroger is implementing for their employees and for customers include:
$2 Per Hour Pay Increase which will be paid to hourly frontline associates in retail stores, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, central fills, pharmacies and contact call centers for the next three weeks at which point UFCW and Kroger will revisit discussions.
Providing Emergency Paid Leave: This ensures that any associates who are affected by COVID-19 – whether experiencing symptoms and self-isolating, diagnosed or placed in quarantine – can recover with the financial support they need.
Additional Cleaning and Sanitizing protocols which include allowing associates to wash their hands and sanitize their registers every 30 minutes.
Shortened Store Operating Hours to provide ample time to allow restocking, cleaning, and to provide appropriate rest and relief for associates.
Installing Plexiglas partitions at check lanes, pharmacy and Starbucks registers across each store.
Adding floor decals to promote physical distancing at check lanes and other counters.
Kroger is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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