To All Kroger Members,
I am pleased to provide an update on our discussions with Kroger regarding the company’s COVID-19 response:
Kroger has agreed to provide our members with $2/hour “hero bonus premium pay” in effect from March 29 - April 18. This bonus will be reevaluated on April 18 based on sales. In addition, the company has agreed to provide a $3/hour
overtime
bonus for hours worked over 8 hours in a day or over 40 hours in a week. All workers will receive this bonus regardless of hire date. This premium pay will be listed as a separate line item on your paycheck and will be taxed as normal wages.
Kroger has also agreed to several health and safety improvements and policy changes at your worksite.
The company has ordered 1,000 infrared thermometers and 7,000 forehead thermometers. The goal is to eventually have infrared thermometers in every store. If a member has a temperature of 100.4 or higher, they will be sent home, and will need to go to their doctor for testing. If they test positive, they will be paid. If they do not test positive, they will receive short term disability. Please note that stewards will need to be involved to ensure testing is not done in front of costumers.
The company has assured us that 300,000 masks are on the way to the stores and another 7 million masks have been ordered and will arrive on April 11. Masks will first go to areas with higher positives cases and outbreaks.
The company has ordered 50,000 boxes of gloves, which will be sent to the stores.
Finally, Kroger is looking at adding additional plexiglass for cashiers and additional signage for customers in order to emphasize the need to practice social distancing and to urge customers not to touch the plexiglass panels.
Please feel free to contact your Union Representative with any questions by calling our Toll-free number at 866.329.1776.
