Business

Oakland Becomes Latest California City to Pass Hazard Pay for Grocery Store Workers, Granting $5 More Per Hour

“It seems only fair that we provide hazard pay as a way to appreciate and fairly compensate the workers who are allowing us to continue to purchase the food and supplies we need despite sheltering in place. This is something that is long overdue,”

Published

5 years ago

February 13, 2021

Kiki

Oakland City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas

The Oakland City Council last week unanimously passed a measure requiring large supermarkets to give their employees an extra $5 an hour as hazard pay for working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The California Grocers Association, which represents grocery store owners, quickly sued the city a day later, arguing that many stores cannot afford the pay raise and that stores would be forced to raise prices.

Minimum wage in Oakland is currently $14.14 an hour – a skimpy wage for the expensive Bay Area. That means that grocery store workers making minimum wage will earn at least $19.19 an hour.

Councilmembers said the increase in pay was necessary to compensate workers for risking their health to serve the public urging the COVID-19 pandemic. “The national retail grocery chains are making enormous profits through this pandemic,” said Oakland City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, who co-sponsored the legislation.

Albertsons Co., the company that owns Safeway, saw its profits increase by 153% in the first two quarters of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019, according to a November 2020 report from the Brookings Institute.

The mandate applies to large grocery stores that have at least 15,000 spare feet of retail space and 500 or more employees nationwide. Oakland stores that will be affected include Safeway, Whole Foods, and Target. The law includes a waiver or credit for stores like Lucky’s, Safeway and FoodMaxx that have already been paying their workers hazard pay throughout the pandemic. Those stores have been paying an extra $2.50 to $3.50 an hour.

Grocery store workers spoke in support of the measure at the City Council meeting where the measure was considered and ultimately passed. “Hazard pay means additional payment for performing a dangerous duty or work related to physical hardship. Grocery is a dangerous job today and physical suffering is pain and death,” said Devin Ramos, a 23-year Safeway employee.

“My work day puts me in a busy store close by to hundreds of customers every day, and I have no realistic way of social-distancing away while doing my job duties. I have no way for every customer who enters my store to wear a mask, or to prevent them from removing their masks,” Ramos said.

Other California cities, including Antioch, Concord, and Berkeley in the Bay Area, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, are considering passing similar hazard pay laws.

On Wednesday, San Jose City Council passed hazard pay legislation. The Los Angeles City Council also recently asked city attorneys to craft a hazard pay law for the council to vote on.

Krogers closed a store in Long Beach after the City Council passed a $4 per hour hazard pay law.

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Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

Published

2 days ago

July 5, 2026

Oakland Post

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Arts and Culture

Prescott Circus Theatre Presents Free Summer Performance Series

Now in its 41st year, the Prescott Circus Theatre is a nationally recognized performing arts education program for Oakland youth. The circus offers safe environments that challenge Oakland youth, through circus arts training, to develop the skills and confidence to thrive on stage, in school, and in life.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Prescott Circus showcase pathways pyramid. Photo courtesy of Prescott Circus.

By Post Staff

The Prescott Circus, Oakland’s longest-running youth circus, is returning this summer with its free shows. Join the Prescott Circus’s young stars as they share their joys and talents through stilt-dancing, tumbling, juggling, and more.

At the heart of this one-hour show, which demonstrates teamwork, pride, and joy, are Oakland Unified School District students ages 8 – 17 from more than 10 different schools

This is accomplished through no-cost school and community programs for more than 300 Oakland youth each year. Performing company members from Prescott, where the program began, perform and make appearances at as many as 40 Bay Area events each year.

The summer program is funded in part by Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, California Arts Council, Port of Oakland, and the West Davis & Bergard Foundation.

Performances will be held Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (ASL interpreted) and Wednesday, July 15, 11 a.m., at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. For free reservations go to

https://PrescottCircusSummerShows.eventbrite.com

For group reservations for camps, childcare centers, senior centers, go to www.prescottcircus.org

A community show will be held Saturday, July 18, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at DeFremery Park,1651 Adeline St., Oakland.

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Activism

NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com