It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. These words were written by Charles Dickens in “A Tale of Two Cities” about the French Revolution. The past several months have at times felt a bit like a revolution, and while the pandemic and social unrest have shown some of the worst of times, there may be some good things to come out of this as well.
Photograph by Clint Blowers
Photograph by Clint Blowers
coronavirus
Honoring Essential Workers
Safety and compensation at the forefront as employees help keep stores open amid the pandemic.
“Labor has become a very important activity for retailers and [an area] where they are spending a lot more money."
coronavirus
The Move to Automation
While the grocery industry will always need human labor, new tech could have a large impact on how labor is structured.
300%
Increase in online grocery sales in April, according to Rakuten Intelligence, which analyzed sales at 34 companies
coronavirus
Redistribution of Labor
Stores ramped up staffing to meet increased demand while pivoting in other departments that were transformed by the pandemic.
“Fresh departments will most likely need to operate in a type of hybrid that offers both full-service and hands-off options. Labor in these departments will most likely be reallocated as needed within the department and the store as a whole.”
coronavirus
Meat Suppliers Implement Additional Safety Measures
During the coronavirus pandemic, plant worker safety is paramount, similar to their retail counterparts.
coronavirus
NGA Launches #SuperMarketSuperHeroes Campaign
The campaign is an effort to thank grocery workers and a way for the association to provide valuable resources to the industry.
coronavirus
More Legislation Introduced to Recognize Front-Line Food Heroes
A new bill known as the AG CHAIN Act would provide a federal tax holiday and a payroll tax exemption for essential employees in the food and agriculture industries.
coronavirus
Bye-Bye Bonus Pay?
As grocery stores become used to the new normal, retailers such as Kroger are discontinuing temporary pay bonuses that were instituted at the beginning of the pandemic.
coronavirus
Senators Brown and Warren Call on Grocery CEOs to Extend Hazard Pay
“A pay bump won’t keep you alive if you contract COVID-19,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who joins the UFCW and Sen. Sherrod Brown in calling for an Essential Workers Bill of Rights that would offer a full suite of health benefits and protections in addition to hazard pay.
“[Grocery workers] didn’t sign up for a job that meant putting their lives at risk every day, but they are doing it."
Workforce
How to Avoid Employee Burnout in Retail
Stressed on time and pay, misunderstood and now fearful, workers often feel "burned out," but there are strategies that can help, the author says.
Financials
Union Chains, UFCW Reach Deal to Revamp Pensions
Kroger, Albertsons and Stop & Shop to pay millions to withdraw from a underfunded UFCW fund, and establish new variable annuity plans.
Financials
Kroger Defends Pension Buyout
Citing greater cost certainty that could aid other investments, Kroger's CFO makes a strong case for a proposed pension buyout.
coronavirus
100 Days War: Union Demands Sweeping Industry Change
With COVID-19 cases on the rise, the UFCW is calling for swift changes to the grocery and meatpacking industries, including pay raises, mandatory mask wearing and more.