Kroger’s ‘bullying tactics will not work’, the people of Seattle stand in solidarity with our frontline workers
SEATTLE – Council President M. Lorena González (Position 9, Citywide), Chair of the Governance & Education Committee, issued the following statement in response to Kroger’s announcement to close two Seattle-area stores:
“Kroger has posted record earnings during this pandemic and has recorded more than $2.9 billion in operating profits through the third quarter of 2020. Kroger has seen an extra $1.2 billion in earnings as compared with 2019. The city’s frontline grocery workers, meanwhile, are exposed to COVID-19 every day and many are still living paycheck to paycheck. The hazard pay legislation that I co-sponsored was a narrowly tailored response to correct this inequity and to compensate our frontline grocery store workers for the risks they endure in their workplace.
“Now, Kroger has resorted to misguided, store closure tactics they have used in other West Coast cities, including Long Beach, California. But Kroger’s bullying tactics will not work because the people of Seattle stand in solidarity with our frontline workers.
“In Seattle, 73% of Seattle voters support hazard pay for grocery workers, with close to half of Seattle voters strongly supporting hazard pay for grocery workers.
“Kroger should follow the lead of PCC and Trader Joe’s rather than spending time and resources to fight policies that honor and recognize the work of their greatest and most valuable resource — their workers.
“But we know that grocery store workers are not just a resource. They are our neighbors, our relatives and our friends. They are the workers that stop everything to make my one-year old daughter smile with kind words and a sticker every time we go to the grocery store. I will continue to stand with all of our frontline workers as we fight together for your dignity and your livelihood.”