May
From hero to zero: Theres no question that frontline workers were the true heroes of 2020, despite being slighted by Time magazine for persons of the year (lame!) Anyway, many essential businesses offered some extra cash for their employees as a way to thank them for putting their lives on the line, working crazy hours, and keeping shelves stocked with essential items. One such business was Kroger, the largest grocery store chain in the country, with more than 2,500 stores across 35 states and estimated sales of $70 billion a year. In late March, Kroger announced that it would provide thousands of its hourly frontline grocery, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy, and call center associates with weekly $2 per hour pay increase, or hazard pay, something the chain touts as a Hero Bonus.
Well, Kroger decided to to discontinue the temporary appreciation program in May, prompting outrage from employees and several local unions, whose members penned a letter to Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen expressing concern over the discontinuation of its Hero Bonus weeks before other major retailers, as well as addressing the fact that customers are not held to the same safety measures as Kroger employees, which will continue to put workers at risk. Shortly after the Hero Bonus rollout, Kroger announced the death of four metro Detroit Kroger employees due to the coronavirus. Following the union letter, Kroger announced a new set of bonuses that expired in June. Cleanup on aisle BULLSHIT!
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