- 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."
- 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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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.
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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