Great news for employees of Fred Meyer! They're getting a slight increase in their pay with some enhanced benefits during this time.

This comes from the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union along with Kroger which also applies to QFC stores in the Seattle area. They're increasing their pay $2 an hour to the frontline employees manufacturing and distribution centers, pharmacies and all call centers. This is in place for three weeks where they'll see if they need to continue on further.

They're also providing emergency pay leave so if any employee may be affected by Covid-19 from symptoms or are placed in quarantine or even in self-isolation because they think they may have it so they can be covered financially.

The staff is taking extra precautions which include hand washing every 30 minutes and sanitizing the cash registers as well.

They're shortening hours to provide extra time to restock without getting in the way of anyone else. You may have already noticed plexiglass around workstations, too.

All in all, a great step and help for these employees and hopefully other stores will do the same.

"Our associates have displayed the true actions of a hero, working tirelessly on the frontlines to ensure everyone has access to affordable, fresh food and essentials during this national emergency," said Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen. "The Hero Bonus is just one more way we continue to convey our thanks and gratitude not only to our existing associates but also to the more than 30,000 new hires who have joined in the past two weeks and those who will soon join the Kroger Family of Companies."

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