Call for retail worker protection
Union says front line employees must be kept safe from COVID-19
One of Saskatchewan’s largest unions is calling on the provincial government to increase protection and wages for retail workers who have been “overlooked” as the novel coronavirus pandemic forces many other businesses to close their doors.
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1400’s requests include protective shields at tills, limits on the number of customers allowed in stores, security personnel to enforce social distancing and a wage premium of not less than $2 an hour for front line workers.
The union is also asking the government to mandate reduced or specialized hours for high-risk and vulnerable employees, signs illustrating risk reduction techniques, a prohibition on reusable bags, and purchase limits enforceable with fines to prevent hoarding.
The president of the union, which represents around 5,000 grocery and other retail workers, outlined the requests in a March 25 letter to Premier Scott Moe. It noted that while some businesses have taken steps to protect workers, others have not.
“Grocery and retail workers are providing vital services to our province during the COVID-19 pandemic with a high exposure risk to themselves and their families,” Norm Neault wrote in the letter.
“UFCW 1400 represents thousands of these retail workers, and on their behalf we ask that you act without delay to protect them and better safeguard the people of Saskatchewan,” Neault continued, adding the risk is “too great too allow this to be only voluntary.”
In an interview, union spokesman Rod Gillies declined to name businesses he believes are not doing enough to protect employees, unionized or otherwise.
He said UFCW has not yet received a response from the government, but expects one as restrictions become increasingly stringent.
“There is no time to wait,” Gillies said
Saskatchewan NDP leader Ryan Meili made a similar request at a news conference in Saskatoon on Thursday, saying the province should work with businesses to guarantee workers have clear physical distancing protocols, protective gear and access to child care.
“There are no clear guidelines. Everyone is making it up as they go along,” Meili said.
He stopped short of pointing fingers at any specific retailers or outlining exactly what measures need to be taken. The important thing is for the government and public health officials to establish clear standards for businesses that are not receiving guidance on how keep people safe, he said.
The provincial government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
Neault sent the letter the same day the government banned all public gatherings larger than 10 people and ordered many more businesses to close their brickand-mortar locations. Effective Thursday, only those businesses deemed critical can continue to operate.
The order, which came a day before the province reported its 95th confirmed cases of COVID -19, does not apply to grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, liquor stores, hardware stores, hotels and motels and certain other businesses, many of which are represented by UFCW Local 1400.
“We urge you to take immediate action to set the minimum standards for the health and safety in the retail industry. This can save lives,” Neault wrote.