Sponsored By

UFCW: Over 11,500 grocery workers affected in first 100 days of pandemic

At least 82 grocery employee members have died from virus, says union

Russell Redman

June 26, 2020

5 Min Read
Kroger_cashier-plexiglass_shield-COVID19_copy.png
Along with a range of COVID-19 safety measures, Kroger has teamed with UFCW to have frontline grocery workers designated as first responders.Kroger

United Food and Commercial Workers International (UFCW) said at least 82 grocery store workers have died from COVID-19 and 11,507 have been infected or exposed to the virus in the first 100 days of the outbreak.

The nation’s largest private sector union, UFCW represents 1.3 million employees in grocery, meatpacking, food processing, retail, health care and other industries in the United States and Canada. The Washington, D.C.-based union said in a press conference yesterday that, among its membership, 238 workers have died from coronavirus in the 100 days since the pandemic started, while almost 29,000 have been infected or exposed. 

“With our country now 100 days into the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s frontline workers still face many of the same dangers they faced on day one. In grocery stores, meatpacking plants and health care facilities, our country’s frontline workers are still getting sick and dying,” UFCW International President Marc Perrone said in remarks at the conference. “It’s high time for America’s CEOs and elected leaders to pull their heads out of the sand and take the strong action needed to protect these brave workers and the communities they serve.”

Walmart_stock_worker_with_face_mask-coronavirus_copy.jpg

In May, Walmart announced plans to pay out another cash bonus for all U.S. full- and part-time hourly associates for their extra efforts during the pandemic.

In grocery stores during April — when incidence of the virus peaked in many areas of the country — 46 UFCW members died from COVID-19, marking that industry segment’s highest single-month total during the pandemic, UFCW reported. Grocery’s biggest overall spike in the spread of the coronavirus came in May, when 5,901 new workers were infected or exposed, the union said.

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

At meatpacking plants, at least 65 member workers died and 14,214 were infected or exposed in the pandemic’s first 100 days, according to UFCW. New coronavirus cases (infected or exposed) hit a high mark of 8,632 workers in April, and deaths from the virus peaked at 38 in May.

Meanwhile, food processing facilities had at least 28 worker deaths from COVID-19 and 3,474 workers infected or exposed to the virus among UFCW members during the 100-day period, the union said. April was the peak month thus far, as 19 food processing workers died and 2,107 were infected or exposed.

UFCW noted that health care facilities, where it represents 60,000-plus workers, have been on the front lines from the start of the outbreak. The union said it has confirmed at least 21 health worker deaths and 11,478 infected or exposed in the pandemic’s initial 100 days. Thirteen health workers died from the virus in April, and 8,554 were infected or exposed in May.

Related:Target to raise hourly starting wage to $15

“American workers simply cannot survive with the current patchwork of safety measures taken by only a fraction of companies and states with millions still unprotected and vulnerable. We need real enforcement of the highest safety standards,” Perrone said.

Amazon_Whole_Foods-plexiglass_shield_at_checkout-coronavirus_copy_2.png

Plexiglass shields at checkout are among the coronavirus protections that Amazon's Whole Foods Market implemented to safeguard staff and shoppers.

In the press event, Perrone criticized large employers — citing Amazon, Walmart and Kroger — for “still keeping us in the dark” in terms of the total number of their employees who have died from or been infected with COVID-19. “Simply put, it is impossible to hold the government or corporate America accountable when they hide the true impact of this outbreak,” he said. 

Since the onset of the pandemic, however, those companies have disclosed and/or confirmed media reports of positive coronavirus cases and/or deaths among employees at various facilities around the country. Walmart, Amazon and Kroger also have provided regular updates on their COVID-19 response efforts, including protections, compensation and benefits for workers. In April, Kroger joined with UFCW in urging federal and state government to classify grocery store workers as emergency first responders during the health crisis.

But with coronavirus cases rising in much of the United States, Perrone called for three national initiatives to safeguard frontline workers. They include reinstating hazard pay and setting a $15 hourly wage for all frontline workers, establishing a public mask mandate in all 50 states, and forming a new national public registry to track COVID-19 infections in frontline workers.

UFCW said the registry would require companies with over 1,000 employees to submit monthly reports on worker deaths, infections and exposure.  

According to Perrone, the Trump administration has failed to enforce clear Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, which has hampered COVID-19 safety measures for frontline employees.

“This is exactly why so many frontline workers have become exposed to this virus,” he said. “There is something fundamentally wrong when the White House and Congress are spending more time trying to let companies off the hook for the health of their workers. Americans deserve better.” 

Through Friday morning, 33 states reported at least double-digit increases — including nine states with triple-digit gains — in new daily coronavirus cases, according to NPR. The highest number of new cases per day were in California (4,861 cases, 60% versus two weeks ago), Texas (4,757, 175%), Florida (4,013, 216%), Arizona (2,834, 137%), Georgia (1,455, 99%), North Carolina (1,329, 24%) and South Carolina (1,070, 86%). NPR’s report is based on data from Johns Hopkins University.

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

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like