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Walton introduces emergency ordinance to require $5 hourly hazard pay for grocery and drugstore workers; unions urge support
Summary
Board President Walton introduced an emergency ordinance that would require grocery stores, drug stores and certain contractors to pay $5 per hour hazard pay to employees who earn under $35 per hour. Union representatives and grocery workers testified in favor during public comment.
President Walton introduced an emergency ordinance on Feb. 23 that would temporarily require grocery stores, chain drug stores and related on-site contractors to provide $5 per hour in hazard pay to employees who earn under $35 per hour or under $75,000 annually.
The proposal applies to grocery and drugstore employers with at least 20 employees in San Francisco and 500 or more employees worldwide; it excludes smaller independent or "mom-and-pop" stores that do not meet those thresholds.
"Grocery workers and drug store workers have been working through this entire pandemic without the ability to work from home," Walton said in opening remarks, adding that those workers "have the most in-person interactions with the public, therefore the most risk of being exposed to COVID-19 through their job."
Union and worker testimony: Several union representatives and frontline employees told the board they support mandatory hazard pay. "It is time for us to actually put our money where our mouth is," said Ryan McGilly of UFCW Local 5. Dan Larson, an organizer for UFCW Local 648, said the large national companies "can afford it" and urged the board to pass the ordinance. Multiple grocery workers who called into the meeting described daily exposure risk and scuffles with customers who refuse to wear masks.
Next steps: Walton said the ordinance builds on earlier board resolutions urging hazard pay and follows action in other Bay Area cities. The matter was introduced for consideration; the board did not vote on final adoption at the Feb. 23 meeting. Sponsors said they hope for rapid consideration given ongoing COVID-19 risks to frontline workers.
Ending: Organizers and workers asked the board to act quickly. Sponsors said the emergency ordinance was designed to provide immediate, temporary relief while the pandemic continues.
