Chloe Ramirez
During the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery store workers were deemed essential frontline workers, but they have largely been left off vaccine priority lists. While eligibility varies from state to state, healthcare workers and residents of nursing homes were prioritized across the board, and grocery workers in most states are still waiting for their turn to be vaccinated. Many grocery workers feel forgotten and are advocating for higher pay and vaccinations. Some retailers, like Trader Joe's, Target, and Instacart, are offering incentives like bonuses or extra paid time off for workers who get vaccinated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccine priority | Grocery store workers are not a priority in most states. |
| Hazard pay | Some companies offered bonuses or extra paid time off for workers who get the vaccine. |
| Eligibility | Grocery store workers are eligible for the vaccine in at least some counties in 13 states. |
| Companies offering vaccines | Trader Joe's, Target, Walmart, and Instacart. |
| Companies offering incentives | Kroger, Trader Joe's, Target, and Instacart. |
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What You'll Learn
Grocery workers feel forgotten in the vaccine rollout
In the initial vaccine rollout, health care workers and residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities were given priority across the board. Now, most states have moved on to vaccinating older adults, but grocery workers are still not eligible in most jurisdictions. In fact, in some states, they are in the same vaccination phase as employees of golf courses and photography studios. This has left many grocery workers feeling expendable and forgotten.
Some states and counties have started to prioritize grocery workers, with at least 13 states vaccinating these workers in at least some counties, according to the New York Times. Pennsylvania, for example, has made its 180,000 grocery workers eligible for the vaccine, with Governor Tom Wolf expressing his gratitude for their frontline work. In Suffolk County on Long Island in New York, grocery chain Lidl has been given appointments for its local workers, and more than 100 employees have now been vaccinated.
Some major food retailers are also trying to get their workers vaccinated. Kroger, the nation's largest grocery chain, has been vaccinating employees in Illinois since they became eligible. Target and Walmart have also said they would offer vaccines to their workers as soon as they are eligible, and Trader Joe's and Aldi's are paying their employees to get vaccinated. However, in most places, grocery workers are still waiting for their turn, feeling forgotten and at risk.
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Hazard pay and higher wages for grocery workers
During the early days of the pandemic, grocery store employees were lauded as heroes. They faced chaotic checkout lines and heightened fear as they continued to work while everyone who could stay at home did. In recognition of the risks they faced, some grocery chains like QFC provided their employees with an extra $2 per hour in hazard pay. However, this was cut in May with no explanation.
As the pandemic continued, grocery workers still faced major resistance to getting the hazard pay they felt they deserved. In February 2021, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to give grocery workers a short-term $5 per hour pay increase. This followed the city of Long Beach's approval of an ordinance mandating a $4 per hour increase in hazard pay for grocery store employees for a minimum of 120 days.
In response to these mandates, the California Grocers Association (CGA) filed for a preliminary injunction, arguing that the ordinance violates federal labor and equal protection laws. They also claimed that it would result in higher costs for groceries and increased food insecurity for low-income families and disadvantaged communities. A study funded by the CGA supported this claim, finding that a $5 hourly bonus would increase a family of four's grocery bill by $400.
Some grocery chains have pushed back against hazard pay by closing stores. Kroger, for example, closed two California stores rather than offer hazard pay to its employees. The company argued that it had already invested over $1.3 billion to safeguard and reward its associates and committed nearly $1 billion to secure pensions for its workers.
While the battle over hazard pay and higher wages for grocery workers continues, it is clear that these essential workers face increased risks and challenges due to the pandemic and seek fair compensation for their efforts.
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Grocery workers' eligibility for vaccines varies by state
Grocery store workers have been at the forefront of the pandemic, ensuring that their stores remain open to the public. However, their eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines has varied across different states in the US.
In Pennsylvania, for example, Governor Tom Wolf recognised the heroic efforts of the state's 180,000 grocery store workers, deeming them eligible for the vaccine. Similarly, in Suffolk County on Long Island, New York, the grocery chain Lidl was provided with vaccination appointments for its local workers, prioritising those at the highest risk.
On the other hand, in most states, grocery workers have not been prioritised for the vaccine. As of February 2021, only 13 states had started specifically vaccinating these workers, and in many places, they were grouped in the same vaccination phase as employees of non-essential businesses.
The situation has led to feelings of being forgotten and expendable among grocery workers, who have continued to serve the public throughout the pandemic. While some companies, such as Trader Joe's, Aldi's, and Kroger, have offered incentives like bonuses or extra paid time off for employees to get vaccinated, the inconsistent eligibility across states has created a sense of disparity and uncertainty for these essential workers.
The varying eligibility criteria across states highlight the challenges faced in ensuring equitable vaccine distribution and recognising the contributions of essential workers during the pandemic.
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Grocery chains' efforts to get their workers vaccinated
In the early days of the pandemic, grocery employees were deemed "
Since then, grocery workers have remained vulnerable on the front lines as hazard pay has expired and the virus has continued to spread. In September 2021, it was reported that many grocery workers were still unvaccinated. Some workers have rejected their employers' pushes to get vaccinated, while others have resisted their employers' calls to do so.
To encourage workers to get vaccinated, some grocery chains have offered incentives such as cash bonuses, flexible work schedules, and paid time off to visit a vaccination site. Dollar General, Trader Joe's, Aldi, Lidl, and Instacart have offered bonuses of up to $200. Kroger has offered a $100 incentive for workers who show proof of vaccination.
Some companies have also introduced vaccination mandates for corporate staff or all employees. McDonald's, for example, requires office workers to show proof of vaccination before returning to work, but this rule does not apply to restaurant staff.
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The daily risk of COVID-19 faced by grocery workers
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role of grocery workers in our communities. However, their visibility and accessibility have also put them at increased risk of contracting the virus. A study by Harvard University researchers found that grocery store workers who interact with customers are five times more likely to contract COVID-19 than their colleagues who do not have direct customer contact. This accelerated risk of infection is a daily concern for grocery workers, who often interact with a high volume of customers in close quarters.
The mental health impact of the pandemic on grocery workers cannot be overlooked. The same Harvard study found that 24% of the workers surveyed experienced at least mild anxiety associated with their work during the pandemic, with 46% of this group reporting symptoms consistent with clinically significant anxiety. The fear and stress of potentially contracting COVID-19, especially without adequate protective measures, take a significant toll on the mental well-being of these essential workers.
Additionally, certain demographics of grocery workers face higher risks due to the pandemic. Older workers, those with disabilities or chronic health conditions, and Black and Latinx workers are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The high percentage of women working as retail cashiers, a role with direct customer interaction, also contributes to the increased risk for this demographic. The lack of universal health insurance coverage for these workers exacerbates their vulnerability.
While some states have implemented protective measures, such as limiting store occupancy, providing personal protective equipment, and mandating priority testing for grocery workers, the rollout of these measures has been inconsistent. The classification of grocery workers as emergency personnel and their eligibility for vaccine priority have also varied across states. This disparity in protection and recognition leaves many grocery workers feeling forgotten and vulnerable as they continue to provide essential services during the pandemic.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the state and county. Grocery store workers are eligible for the vaccine in at least some counties in 13 states, but in most states, they are not.
Yes, some companies like Kroger, Trader Joe's, Target, and Instacart have offered bonuses or extra paid time off for workers who get the vaccine. Kroger announced it would spend an additional $50 million to reward workers with a $100 store credit and 1,000 fuel points.
Over the past two months, there have been 137 COVID-19 outbreaks in Southern California grocery stores, and 500 Houston grocery workers have been infected. The union knows of 124 grocery workers who have died since the start of the pandemic.
