The Benicia City Council passed a Hazard Pay Ordinance Tuesday evening, adding to the list of Cities attempting to properly recognize the risks Grocery workers and their families took to provide essential services during the pandemic.
The emergency ordinance was introduced by Councilwoman Strawbridge and supported by Mayor Young and the entire Council to place the item on the agenda. The final vote was 4-1 on the final ordinance, which will give a 5% raise to grocery workers for 60 days beginning the next day, with Council Members Campbell and Macenski joining the Mayor and Christina voting yes with Councilmember Largaespada voting no because he felt it did not include enough essential workers.
It was particularly gratifying working with Christina and Mayor Young who both spoke out in support of this pro-Worker ordinance in a positive sign of collaboration. We look forward to continuing working closely with the entire Benicia City Council on issues important to working families!
Please take a moment to reach out to the Benicia Council members and staff, who worked to put a clear and concise ordinance forward, to thank them for having the courage to take on this controversial issue. We also want to acknowledge all the support we received from our affiliates and the workers at Raley’s and Safeway who spoke or contacted the Council to let them know we had their back while making this tough decision!
