On Jan. 14, the UFCW condemned the move by Kroger to pour money into a high-tech shopping cart instead of using these funds to strengthen protections for its frontline workers. The move comes as Kroger reports $2.6 billion in pandemic profits and refuses to reverse its cut to hazard pay for its 450,000 grocery workers, despite a new wave of COVID-19 grocery outbreaks.

The UFCW represents hundreds of thousands of Kroger grocery workers and has called on the company to reverse its move to cut hazard pay nearly 250 days ago and to immediately strengthen safeguards in stores to protect its employees who are increasingly at risk as the pandemic worsens. Our union recently reported that among our members, there have been at least 124 grocery worker COVID-19 deaths with over 23,100 grocery workers infected or exposed to the virus. Kroger grocery stores have reported multiple COVID-19 outbreaks in the past month, including outbreaks at a Food 4 Less in Southern California and a Fred Meyer in the Seattle area.

“A new wave of COVID-19 grocery outbreaks is endangering shoppers and workers across the country, and instead of strengthening safeguards, Kroger is using its billions in profit on a high-tech shopping cart,” said UFCW International President Marc Perrone in a statement. “With 4,000 Americans dying from COVID-19 every day, essential businesses like Kroger should be laser focused on safety, not a shiny new object to impress wealthy shareholders.”

“With multiple COVID-19 outbreaks at Kroger stores in the past month, the company must wake up to this threat and take immediate action to strengthen safeguards, fully enforce mask mandates, restore hazard pay for their brave frontline workers, and ensure that all of their employees have paid time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost,” Perrone added. “Americans need to know their grocery stores are safe for shoppers and workers, and that is what Kroger needs to be focused on.”

On Dec. 22, workers at a CVS Pharmacy store in Spring Valley, Calif., voted to join UFCW Local 135 for workplace protections during this pandemic, joining colleagues at 57 other CVS Pharmacy stores that are represented by the local. The vote was conducted online and tallied by a representative of the National Labor Relations Board.

These workers joined our union family because they were concerned about workplace safety conditions as COVID-19 cases continue to spike in California. These workers also want quarantine pay if they get sent home, free coronavirus testing, hazard pay, seniority, a grievance procedure, and other needed benefits. Now, they will have the opportunity to address these concerns at the bargaining table.

This worker victory at Spring Valley CVS Pharmacy comes on the heels of a blatant anti-union campaign initiated by the company. To disrupt the organizing drive at the Spring Valley store, CVS hired an anti-worker consulting firm, posted anti-union propaganda in the breakroom, interrogated employees, and frequently utilized intimidation tactics in the hopes of changing the minds of the majority of employees at that location that wanted to join our union. Although the company attempted to break the fledgling organizing drive early in the process, the workers ultimately prevailed.

“In the midst of this pandemic, workers see the value in belonging to a union,” said UFCW Local 135 President Todd Walters. “Today, the workers at CVS Pharmacy in Spring Valley have chosen to be represented by UFCW Local 135. This is a victory for these essential workers that are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic!”