Santa Clara County has approved hazard pay for people who work at large grocery stores and pharmacies, one year into the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ordinance mandates pay increases for grocery and pharmacy workers in the unincorporated areas of the county.
“So, this is an effort to make sure that that work is recognized and fairly compensated,” Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian told KCBS Radio.
Those eligible will make an additional $5 an hour.
“We did not include restaurants, although that was discussed,” Simitian said. “The concern was that, of course, restaurants have mostly been closed while grocery stores and pharmacies have been open as a matter of necessity.”
The ordinance kicks in mid-April and will be in effect for 180 days.
“We specifically asked that the county’s ordinance be shared with the 15 cities and towns in our county so they could adopt a similar ordinance if they were of the mind to,” Simitian added.
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