BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Bellingham City Council is moving ahead with consideration of an ordinance that would require grocery workers to receive hazard pay during the pandemic.
By a vote of 5-1 with one member absent, the council on Monday ordered staff to write an ordinance that they can consider on April 12th.
Member Gene Knutson was the lone dissenting vote, saying it will drive a wedge between essential workers due to grocery workers being singled out.
Some grocery chains cited a similar ordinance in Seattle as the reason they closed several stores there.
If the council moves ahead with the ordinance there will be a public hearing on April 26th and final vote on May 10th.