Long Beach passed a $4-per-hour grocery worker hazard premium in 2021 during the pandemic. The ordinance was time-limited, faced litigation, and is no longer in effect citywide.
In January 2021 the Long Beach City Council adopted Ordinance ORD-21-0001 requiring large grocery chains to pay a $4-per-hour hazard premium for 120 days during the COVID-19 emergency. The California Grocers Association sued, but the ordinance was upheld in federal court. The premium expired by its own terms in mid-2021. Long Beach has not reenacted a grocery-worker wage floor, and the city now relies on the statewide $16.50 minimum wage. The ordinance influenced state-level proposals such as SB 723, although that bill addressed re-hire rights rather than hazard pay.
While in effect, civil penalties, back wages, attorney fees, and a private right of action attached. The ordinance lapsed at the 120-day sunset and is not currently enforced.
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