Coronavirus Pay Rate Extended At Stop & Shop

ACROSS CONNECTICUT — The Stop & Shop supermarket chain and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union said Thursday that a 10 percent pay increase for hourly store associates imposed at the outbreak of the cronavirus pandemic is being extended through July 4.

They were calling it "appreciation pay" that "recognizes associates’ efforts throughout the pandemic."

The increased pay affects about 56,000 associates in more that 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey, according to the announcement.

"With incredible dedication, teamwork and care for our customers, Stop & Shop associates are continuing to make extraordinary contributions throughout this situation," Stop & Shop President Gordon Reid said. "The Stop & Shop team continues to play a vital role in serving the needs of our local communities and ensuring that our neighbors have uninterrupted access to the food they need. We are deeply thankful for this tremendous work."

Stop & Shop first announced the pay increase on March 20 and then extended it through the end of May. New associates hired before May 30 will also receive the increase, officials said.

The company has hired more than 8,000 new associates since mid-March, according to the announcement.

"Thanks to hardworking UFCW members at Stop & Shop in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York, families across the region continue to have the food and groceries they need during this pandemic," UFCW International President Marc Perrone said. "Working together with Stop & Shop, we are proud to announce the extension of this pay increase for these essential workers keeping our communities strong. Every supermarket company must follow the lead of Stop & Shop and step up to provide our country’s grocery workers with the good pay and the benefits and protections they need."

Stop & Shop has been offering flexible hours to accommodate staffers' personal schedules and up to two weeks of additional paid sick leave for associates who are required to quarantine, either by health or government authorities or by the company.

Stop & Shop and the UFCW in April pushed to have grocery employeeshas declared essential workers.

Stop & Shop in March implemented additional cleaning and sanitation, the provision of personal protective equipment for associates, protective plexiglass shields, store capacity limits, one-way aisles and in-store signage to promote social distancing as well as special shopping hours for customers 60 and older and those with weakened immune systems (6 to 7:30a.m. daily).