Grocery, fast food and pharmacy workers in Santa Clara County could soon start receiving an extra $5 per hour on their paychecks.
The Board of Supervisors is considering a plan to mandate hazard pay for frontline workers.
"We have people who are working in a number of industries - but in particular in the grocery industry - that are in harm’s way," said Board President Cindy Chavez, who prefers the term 'hero pay.' "This is an opportunity both to acknowledge the risk, reward them for that risk and also make sure that folks are able and willing to continue to go to work."
The ordinance would apply across the county in both incorporated and unincorporated areas to employers that have over 300 workers or are publicly traded companies.
"So we’re not looking at mom and pops, we’re looking at the Safeways of the world," said Chavez.
She wants to see better pay for low wage workers across the Bay Area.
Lucky Stores and Save Mart are already offering hazard pay because of the pandemic.
"All of us know that grocery stores, and in particular grocery stores, have done really well in this economy. And this is an opportunity to make sure that that resource that revenue is shared with their employees who are literally risking their lives making sure that the rest of us have healthy food to eat," Chavez said.
The plan would be in effect for 180 days and the ordinance could be adopted by the county board on February 23 at the earliest.
Related
