Grocery workers hold protests at Kroger stores across VA, WV to demand hazard pay

Posted: Sep 1, 2020 / 04:17 PM EDT / Updated: Sep 3, 2020 / 10:16 PM EDT

ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW Local 400) staged 18 simultaneous protests at stores across Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia this Thursday to demand hazard pay.

In a news release, UFCW Local 400 says they will be protesting between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3 at Kroger stores across the region, as well as Giant and Safeway stores.

“The workers are demanding the grocery chains reinstate hazard pay programs that were canceled earlier this summer. The actions are part of a nationwide effort by UFCW to push employers to provide hazard pay to essential workers on the frontlines,” a news release submitted to WFXR News read.

Masks and physical distancing will be required at all times at the following Kroger stores:

Store	Address	City
Kroger #209	7223 Williamson Road	Roanoke
Kroger #402	1322 South Main Street	Blacksburg
Kroger #511	901 North Lombardy Street	Richmond
Kroger #537	975 Providence Square Shopping Center	Virginia Beach
Kroger #752	2007 Seventh Street	Parkersburg, WV
Kroger #772	5717 MacCorkle Avenue, SE	Charleston, WV
Kroger # 790	133 Beckley Crossing Shopping Center	Beckley, WV

Earlier this year, Kroger provided a one-time bonus of $300 for full-time workers and $150 for part-time workers. The Union says this was paid on April 3.

The bonus was then followed by a $2/hour increase for all associates for all hours worked. According to the Union, that program ended on May 16.

Kroger then issued a one-time bonus of $400 for qualified full-time associates and $200 for qualified part-time associates. The final installment of that plan was paid on June 18.