Grocery Hazard Pay - City of Edmonds - Washington

Mayor Mike Nelson of Edmonds has proposed an ordinance to provide hazard pay for grocery store workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed legislation requires grocery stores with 500 or more employees statewide to pay an additional $4 per hour for every hour worked in Edmonds until the state of emergency is lifted. This measure aims to recognize the critical and hazardous role grocery employees play in maintaining the community’s food supply chain amidst the health crisis. Grocery workers have been classified as essential workers, facing significant risks daily to ensure that residents have access to food. Mayor Nelson highlighted the necessity of this ordinance for promoting job retention and supporting economic security in Edmonds.

Other areas, including King County and several municipalities in California, have already enacted similar legislation. The City Council is set to review this proposal during their meeting on April 6, 2021. This initiative reflects a growing trend to protect and compensate essential workers during the pandemic.