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Board advances multiple measures to protect grocery, delivery, janitorial and transit workers during COVID‑19
Summary
Supervisors introduced and supported legislation and resolutions to require employers in grocery, pharmacy and on‑demand delivery to provide protective equipment, to prohibit retaliation for safety requests, to reimburse delivery workers for protective supplies and downtime, and to urge SFMTA and transit unions to protect operators.
Multiple supervisors presented separate but related worker protection measures at the April 7 board meeting aimed at frontline employees still required to work during the COVID‑19 emergency.
Supervisor Matt Haney introduced an emergency ordinance to increase protections for grocery store, drugstore, restaurant and on‑demand delivery workers. The ordinance would require employers to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves and sanitizer; reimburse on‑demand delivery workers for purchases of PPE; pay delivery workers for time spent cleaning vehicles or traveling to hand‑washing facilities; allow no‑contact delivery options; permit schedule changes under the city’s paid sick leave ordinance; require platforms to keep workers informed of social‑distancing protocols; and prohibit retaliation for employees who exercise rights under the ordinance. Haney said the measure includes protections for delivery drivers and reimbursements for on‑demand platforms.
Separately, Supervisor Safaie presented a resolution (Item 25) urging the Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to continue working with the Transit Workers Union Local 250A to adopt additional protections for transit operators, noting rear‑door boarding measures, increased cleaning, limits on vehicle capacity and expanded sick‑leave or administrative leave for operators with symptoms or exposures. Safaie said Muni had increased cleaning, provided PPE and granted operators discretion to protect themselves during shifts.
Public commenters during the meeting included janitors who said some employers, including contractors for large tech or office clients, were not paying workers during the crisis. Callers identified as Lyft janitors and representatives from SEIU Local 87 urged the city to use its leverage to ensure companies and building owners maintain pay and protections for janitorial staff.
Several supervisors requested that city departments and contractors ensure contracts and procurement practices include protective requirements and that the city provide guidance on enforcement and complaint processes.
Ending: The board adopted Item 25 by unanimous vote (11 ayes). The Haney emergency ordinance was introduced and cosponsored; implementation details and enforcement mechanisms were directed to the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement and the City Attorney for drafting and guidance.
