HomeMy WebLinkAbout1Q Public CommentJoe Duffie
President
United Food and Commercial Workers Union
Matt Bruno
Secretary-Treasurer
March 25, 2021
Honorable Mayor Holstege and Members of the Council,
On behalf of our 21,000 essential members at UFCW Local 1167, I am writing to express our
support for Item 1 Q on the agenda, the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2040
establishing "Hero Pay" for front-line grocery workers in the City of Palm Springs.
Last March, when the lockdown began, grocery store workers were praised and called heroes.
As several industries and workplaces like restaurants, bars and offices were closed to stop the
spread of corona virus, grocery workers continued to show up to work. They had to deal with
hostile customers, enforce the use of face masks and social distancing as they also looked to
protect themselves from contracting the virus and taking it home to their families. For more than
a year, they have worked tirelessly on the frontlines to ensure that everyone had access to fresh
food and essentials during this national emergency.
Undeniably, grocery workers have made tremendous sacrifices for the overall well-being of our
communities. Approximately 15% of our members have contracted the virus, a number we
believe to be actually higher because many employers underreport COVID-19 cases.
We have heard first hand that many workers have also suffered the loss of income by being
forced to take time off of work due to exposure, contracting the virus or being hospitalized
themselves. All the while, grocery store corporations have made record profits during the
pandemic. The Brookings Institute reported that top retail stores have earned about a 39%
increase in profits this last year. Rather than investing these profits in their workers, companies
practiced stock buybacks and they had no reservations in rewarding their shareholders.
For these reasons, we ask that the Council votes to adopt the second reading of Ordinance No.
2040 establishing "Hero Pay" for grocery workers in Palm Springs. Workers in Palm Springs
have already been receiving Hero Pay for two weeks. For grocery workers, Hero Pay has meant
a significant difference in their family's budget. For some it has meant that all of their bills can
be paid on time or that they don't have to stress about the month's rent. For all of these workers,
it has brought a sense of relief, even if it is temporary.
:~l~
~W Local 1167
JWD ITEM NO._\ _(x __
855 West San Bernardino Avenue• P.O. Box 1167. Bloomington. CA 92316
Business Office: (909) 877-5000 • Toll Free: (800) 698-UFCW • (Mon. -Fri. 8:30 a.m. -4 p.m.)
Insurance: Food and Meat (909) 8 77-1110 • Drug and General Sales (909) 8 77-2331 ,.........._