- The announcement follows protests over the company's handling of the pandemic. On May 1, workers rallied outside a Ralphs in Hollywood, California, where 21 workers have tested positive for the coronavirus.
- "We're still waiting for details from Kroger on how they plan to roll out testing for our members. Without that information, we can't properly assess their plan," John Grant, president of UFCW Local 770, said in a statement.
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Kroger, the largest US grocery chain, says it will begin testing some employees for COVID-19 after some employees contracted the illness
Kroger, the parent company of Ralphs and Harris Teeter, said Monday that it will make COVID-19 testing available to workers "based on symptoms and medical need."
2020 03 30T213136Z_2133439808_RC2KUF9ET33J_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH CORONAVIRUS KROGER.JPG
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The largest grocery store chain in the United States says it will begin testing workers for COVID-19, an announcement that follows a number of employee deaths and protests over the company's response to the pandemic.
In a May 4 press release, Kroger the parent of brands such as Ralphs and Harris Teeter announced it would be "making free COVID-19 testing available, based on symptoms and medical need."
The company did not provide more specifics, and a spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry about its plans to expand testing to asymptomatic employees.
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The move comes after Business Insider reported that Amazon has launched a pilot testing program for its warehouse employees in Fresno, California. While it declined to provide details, an Amazon employee claimed the testing would be mandatory and take place every two weeks.
Kroger's announcement was welcomed by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents some 22,000 Kroger employees in Southern California alone. It claimed the news was a response to employee protests, including a May 1 action outside a Ralphs in Hollywood where 16% of the unionized workforce 21 people have tested positive for COVID-19.
"We're still waiting for details from Kroger on how they plan to roll out testing for our members. Without that information, we can't properly assess their plan," John Grant, president of UFCW Local 770, said in a statement.
An employee at the Hollywood Ralphs, Jackie Mayoral, suggested that testing should not be voluntary. She has contracted the coronavirus herself.
"We are getting sick and it needs to stop," Mayoral said. "Free testing for essential workers who are serving the public should be required."
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Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com
See Also:
- Costco is limiting how many meat products shoppers can buy as processing plant closures spur fears of a nationwide meat shortage
- J. Crew files for bankruptcy, the first major retailer pushed over the brink by the coronavirus pandemic
- Adidas is using AI and 3D printing to cope with a plunge in sales during the coronavirus pandemic
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