Loblaws, Save-On-Foods employees get wage boost amid coronavirus pandemic

Okanagan and Kamloops grocery store employees are earning an extra $2 an hour during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Loblaws is temporarily raising wages by 15 per cent, retroactive to March 8, according to a statement issued by Loblaws CEO Galen Weston.

The grocery stores will also be installing plexiglass shields for checkout counters, according to a separate statement from Weston.

READ MORE: Grocery stores now looking for new employees to help keep the shelves stocked

“We continue to work around the clock to secure medical-grade masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves for store colleagues in the face of a worldwide shortage of all three. We are making progress and are sending them directly to stores as we get them. But, for a little while longer supply will be inconsistent,” he said in the statement.

Sobeys, which owns IGA stores, is also installing plexiglass shields at its front counters, according to a statement issued this week by its CEO Michael Medline.

Save-On-Foods employees will also receive an extra $2, according to a Tweet from UFCW 1518.

Great news: Save-on-Foods employees will receive a $2/hour pay boost in response to the incredible work they are doing on the front lines of the #COVID19 crisis. We encourage all retailers to take the same actions to recognize their brave workers.

— UFCW 1518????????? (@UFCW_1518) March 20, 2020

Metro is also raising wages by $2, and says the the raise will last until May 2.

– With files from The Canadian Press

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