BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Bellingham City Council has passed an ordinance that requires grocery stores to pay workers $4 per hour in additional hazard pay during the pandemic.
Many spoke in favor of the ordinance at a public hearing Monday night.
One commenter pointed out that this has been a year of danger and stress for workers and record profits for grocery corporations.
But others said it’s not equitable.
One of the comments pointed out that police, fire and EMTs do not suffer through incidental contact like grocery workers but have extended contact with with a variety of people and they, as well as grocery workers, deserve hazard pay.
The ordinance will only apply to large grocery stores and doesn’t affect small or convenience stores.
It calls on the council to review the measure after four months and can be rescinded if the mayor ends the emergency declaration.