The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 union announced Monday an agreement with Safeway on a suite of new protections and rights Monday for grocery store workers during the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The agreement terms include increased scheduling flexibility for parents, expanded paid sick leave, up to two weeks of paid time off for workers exposed to the virus before they are required to use sick leave, a $2 per hour pay raise for at least two weeks and giving existing employees priority over temporary employees for additional hours.
“Local 5 members are working around the clock to assure that families have the food and supplies they need,” UFCW Local 5 President John Nunes said. “Along with health care workers they are truly first responders during this growing crisis.”
UFCW officials are also making an effort to lobby state legislators to adopt protections for grocery store workers, like more paid leave, free coronavirus testing, mandated increased staffing and adequate sanitary cleaners and products like gloves.
A Safeway representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
I had heard on the radio this morning that Safeway was going to be installing plexiglass barriers between the register clerks and the customers.
We already did!!!
They have installed the plexiglass.
I went to safeway today and there was 2 clerks behind me less than 3 feet away.
What I dont understand is when you stand at the plexiglass the checker behind you is exposed.
But you’re not breathing on them.
From what we know so far, the virus is not spread through flatulence.
It is basically a “Sneeze Guard”.
Why do Safeway employees only get two weeks paid off if you have a compromised immune system when the other companies are paying 30 days off?
because they’re unionized.
They deserve it all
Why didn’t Trump think of the plexiglass barriers? He’s a terrible president!
because it’s transparent????
I think he’s doing the best he can and would do that if he was aware of that
Why didn’t you think of it?Youre a terrible person!!
Yogurt who is we?The only people suffering are those that have to hear you moan and so predictably try to blame the best president ever,and one that going to be around a lot longer,It’s not going to work if you haven’t figured this out yet,you poor thing.You only help him everytime you blame him because people jump up and want to stomp on people thinking like you.I don’t make the rules,but I sure so like them.”the main reason we are in this mess” is China,and guess who owns that lab?George Soros.Time for you to slink away now,as usual.
I’m being sarcastic in the above comment. People are blaming everything on the president (actually on most heads of state). Everyday people in other countries are coming up with creative ideas also as this goes along also. NOT their leaders. How can you possibly expect one person to come up with a cure all or a perfect way of fighting this? Give some credit to us! Why weren’t these things thought of during the H1N1 or SARS?? Why didn’t the world shut down then?? Those diseases killed thousands of people. Now the world has decided to shut down one country at a time, all on their own confused, chaotic time frame. ALL of them NOT knowing the absolute best way of fighting or dealing with this disease. We’re not all going to get out of this alive, that’s a fact. We can only do the best we can as individuals as a community and as a country.
Stop blaming one person for this Coronavirus. Because if you do, then you better look at Obama and all the other leaders of countries for doing very little when H1N1 (or SARS) came about.
Yogurt, please stop with the virtue signaling already.
Yogurt,no matter what happens or you think your opinion is the gods truth,you lose,as usual,and will continue too,as long as Democrats can still speak English.Look at what you represent?Teen dreams that will never happen.
Yogurt, unless you live in a bubble, you should realize that this virus is much tougher than SARS. And, since Obama is no longer in power, please consider what would have happened if another Democrat was the President.
Consider a “President Pelosi” (if her coup attempt had worked she might very well be President). Or Hillary? Either of them would be blaming everyone else while listening to no one except lobbyists with fat wallets.
The biggest roadblock right now is Nancy Pelosi’s Congressional power players. They want more regulations that would empower more green new deal opportunists with more windmill and solar panel mandates. More public employee union protections and more regulations to reinforce trial attorneys and lucrative identity politics shakedowns. Pelosi also wants to placate the Bernie Bros and the radical leftists.
The stock market went up today, despite Congress and fools like you.
What a joke!!
This is not about democrats or republicans, this is about how bad this is because our government and it’s current leader made huge mistakes and we all pay the price.
Look, this is not getting better unless there some super drug we find out that helps. Let’s all hope
The democrats are holding up the bill because the republicans see an opening to make their friends rich with no accountability. Read it!! It’s all there for you to see!
50 billion to whoever Mnuchin wants and not having to report the names of who took money and who didn’t!! Come on!! That’s crazy
Stop acting like Covid19 is DvR, this is about survival and long term health of our citizens.
This will not be over by Easter, there is legit no way without shutting everything down and that won’t happen.
This info is out there!! It’s easy to find.
I want someone to prove me wrong, I want someone to fix this and I will gladly come here and eat crow because that means we are all safe to about our regular day.
Yogurt,
If you think there’s no accountability for the money, you obviously didn’t read the bill. Comprehensive, ongoing reporting is required. Yes, I read the whole thing.
Safeway workers are hard workers. I go into Safeway a lot and am always impressed. My hat’s off to them!
I doubt that the plexiglass barriers do much good. It is nice that they provide bags at no charge. I’d like to see more sanitizer wipes available for handling carts or other countermeasures.
Keep up the good work!
When testing becomes more available, hopefully soon, they need to make testing employees a regular thing. Every day at work, I fear that I or other coworkers could be one of the non-symptomatic people spreading the virus, and all I can do is wash my hands often and hope for the best.
It would be nice to see masks available, though I understand that is a worldwide issue, and healthcare and 1st responders are the priority.
No matter what,when youre in Mcdonalds,youll probably catch it.The workers wont flush the TP,they throw it in the trash like back home.I would get a different job.
$2 increase… What is the maximum wage for Safeway checkers?
During this crisis grocery store workers and restaurant workers such as Taco Bell McDonald’s have all been identified as essential workers.most of us are sheltered at home for two weeks being paid the people who work at grocery stores coffee shops Taco Bell are required to work during this. These people make up our minimum wage workforce and we are asking them to risk getting sick to ensure the rest of us can have Taco Bell and the more essential groceries during this time. Essential Workers during this time should be compensated. I don’t know how many of you want to serve the public all day and take dirty money during this crisis. These people are risking everything to serve us. They deserve more money more protection and a little more respect.
Report from Willow Pass Safeway. Seniors lined up at 0550 . 65 and over. Some clown starts screaming at the security guard that 62 and over is senior citizens. Security guard tells him he’s doing what management asks. Knucklehead throws some threats out and guard bans him from the store.
This is the second incident I’ve seen in Safeway . Almost everyone has been polite but there are some people that are on the edge of panic.
I always thank the folks working at Safeway. So can you.
Here is one senior you will not see at the senior hours. I don’t get why, when after working all your life, and most of that time had to get up at the crack of down, you want to get up that early when you retire. I still work, but I work retail which usually are later hours, and whenever I can I change with a co worker the earliest I like to start work is 11 a.m. but then I have been a night owl all my life, it is just if you have a family and a 9 to 5 job you have no choice. Now I have a choice most of the time.
Good for them, I think their dedication and hard work is helping keep our community together, especially when people are acting in such irrational ways with their shopping.
Thank you Safeway workers and all people working essential jobs. I’m trapped in my house (at risk senior), has Safeway in our area started limits on stuff people are hoarding yet? I saw the SF Diamond Heights store is.
Stay safe and healthy!
The grocery store workers are the unsung heroes of this mess. These people come to work every day and have to interact with the panicky and potentially infectious public. And they do this without losing their smile!
Thank you, delivery drivers, cashiers, and shelf stockers. You folks are helping keep the rest of us some sanity in these crazy times.
way is Safeway letting workers buy items at night before they hit shelf that don’t seem fair I was told buy some of the workers that’s what is happening that’s way shelfs are empty when the store opens
Papa, who cares. There has to be some perk for putting their lives at risk. As long as they aren’t hoarding and reselling on the black market.
Papa,
How many Safeway employees do you think there are? I guarantee you that’s NOT why the shelves are empty. They’re working their butts off to stay open for you. Just let them have one tiny perk of employment.
BTW, If you think they’re getting such a great deal, turn in an application. They’re hiring.
Anon,I think you or anyone has a greater chance of getting in fatal collision with a skateboarder wearing a tuxedo and hiking boots than. dying from any type of flu this year.”risking their lives” What about the police?They cant shut down or work from home,and they have to contact the dirtiest of people all day,then take it home.
Arrived at Winco about 8:00 am, about 100 people in line that turns the corner of the store. A shopper told me that at nearby Costco there were about 300 waiting. When the line started moving it took another 15 minutes to get inside, perhaps 2 dozen shoppers inside. Store pretty well stocked. About a half dozen checkers. When leaving, only handful waiting. Was happy to get in, my bill about 20-25% cheaper than Safeway.
I’m a fan of the WINCO
This morning I was at Safeway on Baily before 8:30 and it was great. Security made sure only seniors came in and welcomed nicely. Young lady in the store was handing out a free rose to the lady shoppers. Yes, there was a hard plastic screen at the checkout but not sure how much good that does. The checkout was very nice and even gave me a hand full of game tags. Also their bags are free – at least to the seniors, not sure about the rest of the day.
Only one complaint but only because I wanted a quart of milk. I don’t need nor can use larger volumes. They only had some quarts in the more expensive organic milk brands. Other than the possible waste a 1/2 gallon, I have no other off comments. Even the parking was easier.
Try Grocery Outlet I was there a few days ago, and they had plenty of milk, half and half and cream in different sizes. Today I went to Nob Hill foods in Martinez, and last week to Sprouts, it seem the stores that are not known for their discount prices are better stocked. Yes, paper products are gone, but plenty of milk, meat, fruit, veggies, Nob Hill even had bread, which I noticed Grocery Outlet did not. I’m on the Keto Diet so right now I don’t eat bread. The also had Fontina (a Danish cheese and one of my favorites) on sale for 4.99, usually for the same size I pay 6.99 or 7.99 at Safeway.
Step up to the plate, CVS corporation!!!
If only Local 2700 would try to get these protections for registration clerks in all of the County clinics. The County says Plexi glass barriers are not welcoming……care for all….including employees.
If only Local 2700 would try to get these protections for registration clerks in all of the County clinics. The County says Plexi glass barriers are not welcoming……care for all…
Including employees.
I sent my significant other to Safeway to buy a slice of “Tres Leches” cake yesterday…He was told they don’t have cakes that starts with a letter T.
I bought a slice of it last week..was yummy !
Everything else we have. We’re lucky.
And yes our Safeway and the rest of grocery store workers are awesome!
Only buy what we need and use what we have..No hoarding allowed in our household.