Delivery and Grocery Store Workers Should Get Hazard Pay During Coronavirus Pandemic | Eater

"Workers at the stores have reported being routinely overwhelmed by shoppers during the outbreak and organized a coalition that is in the process of unionizing and launched an online petition demanding hazard pay at the rate of time and a half, plus guaranteed pay if stores are forced to close. Staff emphasize that they are still breaking down pallets, restocking shelves, and serving customers while communities shut down, exposing themselves to elevated health risks amid shortages of protective gear. After the petition circulated, management issued an internal company memo creating a “special bonus pool” for store employees tied to recent sales increases rather than adopting the hazard-pay policy workers sought. Employees and advocates are calling for material recognition—hazard pay, paid sick leave, and access to hand sanitizer—instead of only abstract praise." - Jenny G. Zhang