"Employees describe persistent understaffing, low pay and punitive policies that force untenable choices, including accounts of pregnant workers being pressured to continue heavy lifting or face unpaid leave. One decade-long grocery associate recounted chronic cuts that left her unloading 11 pallets of produce alone and struggling to cover basic expenses, arguing that constant financial and emotional strain makes it difficult to provide attentive customer service. Organizing efforts and advocacy groups have offered workers solidarity and some gains on wages and parental-leave issues, but many workers continue to report harsh conditions." - Jaya Saxena