LOS ANGELES (CN) A federal judge denied a bid by the California Grocers Association to block a city of Long Beach ordinance providing a $4 an hour boost in hazard pay for grocery workers, finding there’s no evidence the policy is preempted by federal labor law.
The Southern California city requires grocery stores to pay the extra $4 per hour for at least 120 days to workers who face “magnified risks of catching or spreading the Covid-19 disease because the nature of their work involves close contact with the public,” according to text of the ordinance approved Jan. 19.
The ordinance was contemplated as a measure acknowledging grocery workers’ contributions and one that would encourage or ensure employee retention in supermarkets that provide critical supplies for the public, attorneys for the city said in court papers.
On Friday the Virginia State Senate approved a constitutional amendment that removes the prohibition on same-sex marriage with a vote of 22-12. The amendment amends Section 15-A of Article I of the Vi.
Grocery Associations file lawsuit against City of Burien to halt grocery worker extra pay westsideseattle.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from westsideseattle.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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
Grocery associations file lawsuit against Seattle to stop hazard pay February 4, 2021 at 6:45 am
Clark resident Jen Valencia shops for a customer as she supplements her income working for Instacart at Acme Market on April 27, 2020 in Clark, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
On the same day an extra hazard pay for grocery employees took effect in Seattle, grocery associations filed a lawsuit against the city.
The new ordinance mandates an extra $4 an hour for many workers in grocery chains and bigger stores, and was expected to remain in place for at least four months. It does not impact convenience stores or food marts selling a limited line of goods.