Kroger to Close Two More Stores After Seattle City Council Mandates “Hazard Pay” for Grocery Workers
Supermarket retailer Kroger announced it will close two of its QFC grocery stores in Seattle because of the City Council’s new “Hazard Pay” law requiring an extra $4 per hour for workers.
The mandate, dubbed “Hazard Pay,” was designed to compensate grocery store workers for working in “dangerous” conditions due to the Covid pandemic – but it backfired.
QFC said its Seattle employees already make an average of $20 per hour – not including healthcare and retirement benefits.
The two grocery stores located on 15th Avenue and 35th Avenue in the Wedgewood neighborhood will close in 60 days.
“When you factor in the increased costs of operating during COVID-19, coupled with consistent financial losses at these two locations,
