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Raley’s plans fourth appreciation pay bonus for hourly workers

‘Their dedication is inspiring,’ CEO Keith Knopf says

Russell Redman

July 29, 2020

2 Min Read
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Raley’s previously announced community service rewards for all hourly staff in March, April and May, with those payments based on individual hours worked.Raley's

Raley’s has announced another “appreciation award” bonus for all hourly workers in recognition of their extra efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

The West Sacramento, Calif.-based supermarket chain said Wednesday that the bonus — its fourth in five months — will be paid on Aug. 14 to hourly store, distribution center, pharmacy, production bakery and support center employees. Full-time associates will receive $500, and part-time associates will get $250. 

“We are grateful for our team members and pleased to be able to give back even more,” Raley’s President and CEO Keith Knopf said in a statement. “Their dedication is inspiring under normal circumstances and even more so during these difficult circumstances.” 

Raley’s previously announced community service rewards for all hourly staff in March, April and May, with those payments based on individual hours worked.

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Bonuses will be paid on Aug. 14 to Raley's hourly store, distribution center, pharmacy, production bakery and support center employees. Full-time associates will receive $500, and part-time associates will get $250.

When the first bonus was announced in late March, Raley’s reported that the payments would vary but average about $500 per employee. “This reward recognizes the dedication team members have shown across store operations and other support services throughout the past two weeks,” the company said at the time.

Overall, Raley’s operates 127 grocery stores in California and Nevada under the Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods, Food Source, Market 5-ONE-5 and Raley’s O-N-E Market banners.

Related:Ingles Markets plans second worker bonus for COVID-19 efforts

COVID-19-related bonuses and so-called “hero pay” remain an issue as grocery workers seek extensions of hazard pay amid the rising number of coronavirus cases around the country.

Temporary hourly wage hikes for frontline workers at supermarket operators such as The Kroger Co., Albertsons Cos. and Stop & Shop have been phased out as the pay periods have expired and states and municipalities nationwide have begun reopening businesses and public spaces shut during the pandemic.

However, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) said in a press conference this month that the threat of the virus hasn’t abated for its members and other grocery store associates, and therefore the hourly hazard pay should be extended. UFCW has said cash bonuses don’t reflect the total hours worked by associates and their potential exposure to the virus.

In the UFCW media event, U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and Sherrod Brown (D., Ohio) expressed their support of continued hazard pay and said they and 11 other senators sent a letter to Kroger and 14 other leading grocery retailers that called for the companies to extend their hourly hazard pay for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.

Related:H-E-B to give permanent pay increases as temporary COVID-19 bonus pay ends

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

 

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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