How essential do you have to be? B.C. union speaks out as workers lose pandemic pay

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — With more people back at work in retail and restaurants, some grocery store chains are dropping their COVID-19 pandemic bonus programs.

Save On Foods won’t continue its $2-per-hour bonuses after May 30, while Loblaws has extended its program until mid-June.

“The announcement was a shock and a disappointment to union members who have been working hard on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says UFCW 1518, the union representing Save On foods workers, in a statement.

Union representing thousands of B.C. grocery workers says decision from Save On Foods to end pandemic premium pay for its employees is “irresponsible” and “unfair.” According to UFCW, the premium ends on Saturday. @BT_Vancouver @CityNewsVAN @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/Z06VsdQIeD

— Greg Harper (@GS_Harper) May 28, 2020

“As British Columbia re-opens and businesses begin to navigate new regulations and business practices, there is tremendous uncertainty about the future and the safety of front line workers,” says the statement.

Meanwhile, the Retail Council of Canada’s Greg Wilson has spoken with Black Press Media, calling for the province to reconsider its decision to keep grocery and hardware store staff out of the federal essential workers “top-up” program.

Additionally – should BC include grocery store workers in the federal essential workers wage increase top up? Right now its for corrections, health care and social services staff only. On @NEWS1130 this morning

— Ash Kelly she/her (settler) (@AshDKelly) May 28, 2020

That fund was announced in April, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying on May 7, “it will be up to each province and territory to determine who exactly qualifies for this wage increase but the bottom line is this; if you are risking your health to keep this country moving and you’re making minimum wage, you deserve a raise.”

B.C.’s Ministry of Finance says corrections, healthcare, and social services workers will receive the pay increase of $4 an hour, but that physical distancing and workplace safety measures should be able to keep retail workers safe.

Some thoughts coming in from people about how retail, grocery, child care, other workers should be getting a wage top-up. BC's administration of essential wage program only going to social services, healthcare, corrections workers. @NEWS1130 https://t.co/i0TA8zsU6L

— Ash Kelly she/her (settler) (@AshDKelly) May 28, 2020

“BC is only beginning to relax its pandemic response, and the crisis is far from over, especially for front line workers,” says UFCW 1518 President Kim Novak. “There remains a lot of uncertainty around what could happen in the coming months. Meanwhile, Save-On-Foods members continue to assume risks by showing up to work every day. Ongoing recognition for that commitment is the least these workers deserve. It is just too soon to end the Pandemic Premium.”