“We’re here to demand that Kroger, parent company of both Ralph’s and Food 4 Less, take action immediately to ensure no more positive cases,” said Kathy Finn, Secretary-Treasurer at UFCW Local 770. “We’ve been calling on this company for 10 months now to take safety more seriously and they’re very inconsistent in their enforcement of safety protocol.”
“We’re supposed to wash our hands every 30 minutes, [but] they don’t give us the time for that. We’re supposed to wipe down our check[out] stands every 30 minutes or every three customers, [but] they don’t give us time for that,” said Barbara Hughes, a cashier with the company for 26 years, including five years at the Palmdale store. “A lot of people are just calling out because they are afraid to come in.”
During the protest, workers called on Kroger to temporarily close the store while continuing to pay workers so they could safely quarantine.
“We’re just calling on them to understand the risks that these workers are taking, to pay them fairly and to take their health seriously,” Finn added.
Despite a 15.8% increase in sales, Kroger has eliminated hazard pay and has failed to enforce basic workplace protections to keep workers and customers safe, according to a news release by UFCW Local 770. Union officials said Cal-OSHA was onsite at the Palmdale store on Thursday, Dec. 17, and opened an investigation regarding the workers’ concerns about health and safety.
Grocery workers are now calling on members of the community to support the effort by contacting the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to request that the store be temporarily shut down.
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DretaThomas says
Oh my that’s the store I go to its right down the street from my house
I didn’t even know that I just went there
Michele says
It should be noted clearly if a location has positive cases so the consumer can make a decision to shop or skip that location. Just like the Health dept grading system is visible so should a positive or negative cases reported
Antony says
OSHA requires employers to establish and enforce safety protocols.
All other deferments of responsibility are mute until the employers establishes a mandatory foundation.
To all the workers that organized and stood together to raise attention to this matter, job very well done.
Jerry C. says
I can totaly with what your saying. I’ve been around the retail business for over 30 years. While customers are needed that doesn’t give them the right to mistreat people. These are the county rules. Go to city hall and bitch . But realize these people are here for your . So you can have what you need. Have some decency . Say thank you for being here to serve the community. We are all in this together. Make it easier not harder for these workers. Come in, wear a mask, get your stuff and leave. Thank you to all the front line essential workers for being there for us in our time of need. May you all have a safe and Happy Holidays!!
Grinch says
Unionized Grocery Workers Matter!
Renee says
That’s my community store I will not be going there any time soon
Beecee says
Food for less mutants
Leanna Heil says
Oh get a life people! We have been shut down since March! This has changed NOTHING!
These are just LAZY WORKERS looking for an EXCUSE!
Miss T. says
To everyone that has a comment. I work for the Kroger company and customer’s and employees are required to wear a mask . But there are some customers that refuse to do so. People have no idea what we go thru on a daily with customers. They are rude and get mad when rules are being enforced according to CDC ORDERS. So to customers that come into the store to shop we should not have to be treated like we don’t have feelings. People need to be more kind and respectful and remember that we are putting ourselves and our family at risk on a daily to make sure that families can have essential things that is needed. So be more respectful and less selfish and think of others.
tsparky says
I think they should go on strike. I’m sure that will get them what they are asking for.
Not the way it works says
What is absent from the complain is ‘mask use’. This virus is primarily airborne. Distancing, ventilation and mask quality & usage are likely the major deficiencies if Food4Less has had 23 positives in one store in 24 days.
Wipe-downs are useful – – but you’d be better to wear a quality, tight-fitting mask than worry about washing your hands for 5 of hands every 30 minutes. Keep your fingers out of your nose, people.
Union Buster says
Who is to blame? Everyone, including represented employees not wearing masks as designed. Employees, cover your nose with the mask.
The Grinch says
He’s a MEAN one Mr. Grinch!