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Resolution Relating to Premium Pay for Grocery Workers <br />February 2, 2021 <br />Page 2 <br />4 <br />1 <br />6 <br />COVID-19 Cases and Deaths to Date <br />As of February 1, 2021, the World Health Organization reported a global total of <br />102,584,580 cases of COVID-19, including 2,222,647 deaths; California reported <br />3,258,706 cases of COVID-19, including 40,908 deaths; and Santa Ana reported 42,197 <br />cases of COVID-19, including 545 deaths. <br />Grocery Stores as Essential Businesses <br />Grocery stores are essential businesses. As such, grocery workers employed at grocery <br />stores are essential workers who perform services that are fundamental to the economy <br />and health of the community during the COVID-19 crisis. They work in high-risk conditions <br />with inconsistent access to protective equipment and other safety measures, work in <br />public situations with limited ability to engage in physical distancing, and continually <br />expose themselves and the public to the spread of disease. <br />Premium pay, such as a “hazard pay” or “hero pay” as proposed by local governments <br />such as Long Beach, CA, Los Angeles County, CA, Santa Monica, CA, and Seattle, WA, <br />is wages paid to an employee in addition to regular wages. Premium pay is an established <br />type of compensation for employees performing hazardous duty or work involving <br />physical hardship that can cause extreme physical discomfort and distress. <br />Similar ordinances have been proposed or adopted by the Los Angeles County Board of <br />Supervisors and the City of Long Beach, which have resulted in threats of legal action. If <br />the Council adopts the proposed resolution, the City Manager and City Attorney in <br />consultation and collaboration with other relevant Departments, will deliver a written <br />report on, or before, the March 2, 2021 Council Meeting that contains a proposed Urgency <br />Ordinance to include: <br />Requirement that retail stores located within the City which are privately and <br />publicly traded, with at least 300 employees nationwide, and more than 10 <br />employees per store site, pay all their employees an additional four (4) dollars per <br />hour in wages; <br />A sunset clause, occurring 120 days from the effective date of the ordinance; <br />Any other provisions necessary to implement the intent of the motion; <br />Direction to the City Attorney to advise the City Council on its enforceability, in light <br />of the lawsuit filed against the City of Long Beach. <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br />There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. <br />EXHIBIT(S) <br />1. Resolution <br />Submitted By: <br />Kristine Ridge, City Manager <br />Sonia Carvalho, City Attorney