Portland, Oregon-based New Seasons Market and New Leaf Community Markets, both part of Good Food Holdings, announced yesterday "a starting wage increase to $16.25 per hour for staff across Oregon, Washington and California, effective October 6, 2021.
"In addition to higher starting pay, the grocers will adjust wage scales in order to recognize the contributions of all hourly store staff. These wage investments will raise the average pay of current hourly staff to $19.98 per hour across banners, building on each grocer’s longstanding culture of supporting staff with competitive pay and benefits."
“Supporting staff with competitive pay and benefits is a deeply rooted commitment aligned to the founding values of New Seasons Market and New Leaf Community Markets,” Nancy Lebold, CEO of both banners, said in a prepared statement. “Grocery workers are vital to the success of our regional food economies. This investment will advance equity in our stores and continue moving the food industry to support livable wages for all workers.”
The announcement continued: "New Seasons Market and New Leaf Community Markets share a commitment to progressive policies and programs that nurture staff and the communities served by the grocers’ combined 24 stores. The banners were early adopters of a $15.00 per hour starting wage and invest 25% of every sales dollar back into compensation and benefits programs. As the first B Corp Certified grocery stores, New Seasons Market and New Leaf Community Markets also lead the industry with comprehensive benefits packages that include robust healthcare for all kinds of families, paid parental leave, secure lifestyle scheduling, paid volunteer opportunities, career development and more."
- KC's View:
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Good for them. One of the ways you take great care of your customers is by making your employees the top priority … if they're happy, they'll make your customers happy. And especially now, when there is a labor shortage, these banners are doing their best to be employers-of-choice.
