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1. Everyone should know about what @kroger, the nation's largest supermarket chain, is doing to make sure their frontline employees don't make a few extra bucks an hour
This is a company which had $3 BILLION in profit in the first 3 quarters of 2020 https://popular.info/p/immoral-hazard
This is a company which had $3 BILLION in profit in the first 3 quarters of 2020 https://popular.info/p/immoral-hazard
2. @Kroger ended its $2/hour hazard pay in May. And as the pandemic got worse, refused to reinstate it
So the Seattle passed an ordinance requiring large grocery stores to pay $4/hour in hazard pay
@Kroger RESPONDED BY CLOSING ITS TWO SEATTLE STORES https://popular.info/p/immoral-hazard
So the Seattle passed an ordinance requiring large grocery stores to pay $4/hour in hazard pay
@Kroger RESPONDED BY CLOSING ITS TWO SEATTLE STORES https://popular.info/p/immoral-hazard
3. @Kroger also closed two stores after Long Beach passed a similar ordinance.
The "new extra pay mandate" makes it "impossible to operate a financially sustainable business"
Kroger is planning to spend $1 billion this year on stock buybacks https://popular.info/p/immoral-hazard
The "new extra pay mandate" makes it "impossible to operate a financially sustainable business"
Kroger is planning to spend $1 billion this year on stock buybacks https://popular.info/p/immoral-hazard
4. So what is @Kroger doing instead? According to an internal memo obtained by http://popular.info , Kroger is giving all employees "1000 fuel points."
This is the equivalent of $1 off a gallon of gas at participating stations. Or about $12 bucks
https://popular.info/p/immoral-hazard
This is the equivalent of $1 off a gallon of gas at participating stations. Or about $12 bucks
https://popular.info/p/immoral-hazard
5. I talked to a worker at one of the stores being closed. They are not enthused about the fuel points because they don't have a car.
They report employees who have been risking their lives during a pandemic are now "anxious and scared" about paying rent https://popular.info/p/immoral-hazard
They report employees who have been risking their lives during a pandemic are now "anxious and scared" about paying rent https://popular.info/p/immoral-hazard
6. Keep in mind not every larger grocer responded this way. Trader Joe's is increasing pay by $4/hour across the entire country.
For updates and accountability journalism, sign up for the newsletter http://popular.info/subscribe
For updates and accountability journalism, sign up for the newsletter http://popular.info/subscribe
7. While many people struggled, grocery stores have received a windfall during the pandemic.
Instead of fairly compensating its employees putting themselves at risk, @Kroger is spending billions to boost its stock price, rewarding executives and investors
Instead of fairly compensating its employees putting themselves at risk, @Kroger is spending billions to boost its stock price, rewarding executives and investors
