Kroger To Begin 'Thank You' Pay; Workers Want Hazard Pay Back

ATLANTA, GA — Kroger’s first round of “Thank You” pay will go out in a couple of days. The chain announced earlier this month that it would provide a special one-time bonus to hourly frontline grocery, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy and call center associates to acknowledge their “dedication to maintaining safe, clean and stocked stores.”

The payments will be paid in two installments on May 30 and June 18. Full-time employees will receive a $400 bonus while part-time employees will receive a $200 bonus.

Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO said in a statement he wants to thank the workers for their “incredible work” during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our associates have been instrumental in feeding America while also helping to flatten the curve during the initial phases of the pandemic,” he said.

The one-time payment isn’t enough though, says The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. It’s calling on Kroger, as well as other larger food retail companies to continue offering the hazard pay until masks and other protective measures are no longer necessary.

Before the “Thank You” bonus, Kroger employees received an extra $2-per-hour from April through mid-May. That ended last week.

During a recent press call, UFCW International President Marc Perrone said there’s a growing risk for grocery store workers.

“As this pandemic continues, the threat of this virus is real across every grocery store in America,” he said. “Yet, most states and supermarket chains are still failing to enforce social distancing or mask wearing in stores to keep customers and workers safe.”

Perrone also said that retailers like Kroger, aren’t releasing internal numbers on worker deaths, infections, and exposure.

Kroger didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.