An outbreak of COVID-19 cases at the Ralphs grocery store on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood raised concerns in April. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Working to ensure assistance and protections for the city’s essential workforce, Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, 6th District, and Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, on Dec. 15 introduced an initiative to establish an emergency ordinance requiring additional hourly pay for grocery store workers providing essential services on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The motion requests the city attorney to draft an emergency ordinance that will provide all on-site grocery workers at grocery stores with 300 or more employees an additional $5 per hour in wages and be in effect while Los Angeles is within a Widespread (purple), Substantial (red), or Moderate (orange) Risk Level, and until the risk levels return to Minimal (yellow) under the state health orders.

“Our grocery store workers ensure so many of us have food and critical items to keep our families fed and safe during this pandemic,” Martinez said. “Every Angeleno recognizes the importance of the sacrifices and inherent risk they take on our behalf. Their pay should match the indispensable service they provide us during these trying days and that is why Councilmember O’Farrell and I introduced this motion.”

“Despite the highest surge of COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, our grocery store workers continue to show up every day, serving customers and providing the essentials that residents across the city need to stay safer at home,” O’Farrell said. “This is by definition hazardous work and the money they earn should be commensurate with the risks associated on the job.”

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery store workers in the city of Los Angeles, and throughout the state, have continued to report to work during the stay-at-home public health orders. They have served their communities despite the ongoing hazards and danger of being exposed to the coronavirus.

The Southern California region has some of the highest caseloads in the world, putting essential workers at elevated risk. According to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department, since the beginning of the surge on Nov. 1, coronavirus cases have increased 625%.

The motion will be heard in the City Council’s Economic Development Committee in early 2021.