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PCC Community Markets reaches hazard pay accord with UFCW Local 21

Temporary $4 per hour wage for all unionized workers aligns with Seattle ordinance

Russell Redman

February 11, 2021

3 Min Read
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PCC noted that all of the approximately 1,500 unionized associates at its 15 stores will receive the extra pay, not just those at its Seattle stores subject to a municipal hazard-pay ordinance.PCC Community Markets

In line with a Seattle city ordinance, PCC Community Markets and United Food and Commercial (UFCW) Local 21 have agreed on a temporary $4 per hour wage hike that provides COVID-19 hazard pay.

PCC said late yesterday the pay increase will be issued retroactively from Feb. 3. The Puget Sound-area grocery retail cooperative noted that all of the nearly 1,500 union-represented hourly associates at its 15 stores will receive the extra pay, not just those at its eight Seattle stores subject to a municipal hazard-pay ordinance. The chain has about 700 workers outside the city of Seattle.

UFCW 21 and PCC also reached an accord on launching curbside pickup service “that captures work for union members instead of giving it away to the gig economy,” the Seattle-based union stated. “We also reviewed our continued commitment to discuss new technologies in the stores with the union before implementation.”

The $4 hourly wage increase is slated to remain in effect until Washington state lifts its pandemic emergency order or June 5, whichever comes first.

“We prioritize our staff, and this week was no exception. We appreciate the UFCW Local 21’s partnership and are pleased we could come to terms on our offer to provide hazard pay across the co-op,” PCC Community Markets President and CEO Suzy Monford said in a statement. “The addition of curbside will help the co-op grow and sustain jobs, while also providing a safe, contactless, modernized option for members and shoppers.”

Related:PCC offers unionized grocery workers $4 hourly ‘appreciation pay’

On Jan. 25, the Seattle City Council approved Council Bill 119990, which requires grocery employees in Seattle to receive hazard pay of $4 per hour during the “COVID-19 emergency.” Days later, PCC sent a letter to Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan opposing the ordinance, explaining that that it would take a financial toll on the grocer, which already had invested in creating a safe working and shopping environment during the pandemic. The hazard pay ordinance went into effect on Feb. 3, and the next day PCC proposed temporary “appreciation pay” of $4 for all union workers in its market area.

The Northwest Grocery Association (NWGA) and the Washington Food Industry Association (WFIA) also opposed the hazard pay ordinance and on Feb. 3 filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Seattle. NWGA and WFIA argued that the Seattle ordinance is being applied improperly because it only covers some grocery store employees and not other essential businesses and workers in the area. The associations also contend that the law bypasses collective bargaining agreements.

Related:Kroger to shut two Long Beach stores due to local hazard pay mandate

“After intense pressure from workers, shoppers and community through petitions, leaflets, and other actions, we have finally reached an agreement with PCC on providing hazard pay on all stores outside Seattle and Burien [Wash.],” UFCW 21 said in announcing the agreement with PCC on Feb. 10.

“We have a commitment from PCC to bargain over extending this agreement, including hazard pay, at least 30 days before it expires,” the union added. The pact also provides quarantine pay for workers diagnosed with COVID-19, plus other safety provisions.

PCC noted that it also has achieved priority access to COVID-19 vaccines for workers via collaboration with trade associations and other grocers. Starting next week, PCC staff meeting state guidelines will be able to get priority vaccination appointments.

The retailer said it will continue to work with retail partners and government agencies to boost coronavirus vaccine access for all grocery workers. For example, the co-op has signed a letter to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to prioritize access in the Phase 1B vaccination allocation for all food and agricultural essential workers, regardless of age. And to incentivize immunizations, PCC is offering employees a $25 store gift card for getting a COVID vaccine.

PCC added that in 2020 it spent more than $4 million on pandemic-related employee and operating costs, including appreciation pay, bonuses and in-store safety measures such as plexiglass barriers at checkout, store HVAC system upgrades and KN95 face masks for all staff. 

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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