As the global Covid-19 pandemic continues to dominate headlines, those on the front lines of keeping America fed and supplied with essentials are dealing with increased demand. Consumer tissue and bleached paperboard supplier Clearwater Paper is among suppliers in the West trying to keep up with a huge increase in demand for its paper goods. Western grocers Vallarta Supermarkets, Stater Bros. Markets, Trader Joe’s, Raley’s and Safeway all are responding to customer and employee needs during the pandemic.
Clearwater Paper provides update on operations in response to Covid-19
Spokane, Washington-based Clearwater Paper Corp., a supplier of consumer tissue, away-from-home tissue, parent roll tissue and bleached paperboard has shared an update on the company’s recent operations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The health and safety of employees is a top priority, and Clearwater Paper is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving Covid-19 situation. The company is implementing a comprehensive risk mitigation plan across all facilities that includes enhanced sanitation procedures, sick leave, remote work options, travel restrictions, and visitor and meeting policies. In addition, Clearwater Paper is actively engaging with federal, state and local government officials due to the essential and critical nature of its workforce and operations.
Clearwater Paper is also experiencing a significant increase in demand for its retail tissue products and an increase in demand for paperboard used for packaging food and pharmaceutical products. The company is focused on ensuring continuous operations to serve its customers’ demand for these essential goods. Clearwater Paper’s facilities are currently producing as usual.
Clearwater Paper is a supplier of private label tissue to major retailers and wholesale distributors, including grocery, drug, mass merchants and discount stores. In addition, the company produces bleached paperboard used by quality-conscious printers and packaging converters, and offers services that include custom sheeting, slitting and cutting. Clearwater Paper’s employees build shareholder value by developing strong relationships through quality and service.
Vallarta Supermarkets to donate $150,000 to organizations helping feed seniors, families during pandemic
Vallarta Supermarkets, one of the largest Latino-owned supermarket chains in California, will donate $150,000 to a number of local non-profit organizations servicing seniors and those at greater risk of getting ill from the virus. Donations will support the communities Vallarta stores serves.
The donations will be made through Vallarta Supermarket’s Gonzalez Family Foundation to Meals on Wheels and service organizations working to help seniors and families in this time of need in the following communities: San Fernando Valley, Whittier, Downey, Pasadena, Santa Clarita Valley, Simi Valley, San Diego, Santa Maria, Oxnard, Victorville, Hesperia, San Joaquin Valley, Antelope Valley, Anaheim and Los Angeles.
“These are unprecedented and challenging times for all of us, especially those we know are suffering the most during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Andrew Lewis, VP of marketing for Vallarta Supermarkets. “We hope this donation further demonstrates our commitment to the communities we serve.”
Vallarta Supermarkets recently announced new store hours exclusively for seniors, ages 65 and over, pregnant women and those with disabilities effective March 18, from 7-8 a.m. before opening to the rest of the public at 8 a.m. The temporary new hours were implemented across all of its 50 locations in California (Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Kern, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Orange and Fresno counties).
Founded in 1985, Vallarta Supermarkets is a full-service, independent grocery chain with 50 locations throughout California. Vallarta Supermarkets is known for having fresh produce, quality meats, exquisite pastries and specialty items from Latin America and other parts of the world.
All Stater Bros. Markets hourly employees will receive a $2 per hour wage increase
During these unprecedented times, all members of the Stater Bros. “family” realize it’s their responsibility to provide essential services to their local communities. To recognize their hard work and commitment, Stater Bros. Markets says beginning Monday, March 23, all of the company’s hourly employees working in the stores, distribution, transportation, corporate offices and construction will receive a wage increase of $2 per hour for the subsequent four weeks.
“The spirit of the Stater Bros. ‘family’ has always been to do the right thing, for the right reason,” said Stater Bros. CEO Pete Van Helden. “Our employees are committed to helping our community during this difficult time. They are working long hours, and some have even forfeited vacations and days off to be there for our customers. We couldn’t be prouder of our team working together to support our customers and communities.”
Stater Bros. Markets is currently operating from 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Stater Bros. Markets was founded in 1936 in Yucaipa, California, and has grown steadily through the years to become the largest privately-owned supermarket chain in Southern California. The company currently operates 169 supermarkets, and there are approximately 16,000 members of the Stater Bros. Supermarket family.
Trader Joe’s dedicates hours for seniors
Trader Joe’s says over the past few weeks it has heard from its senior customers about the need for assistance in the morning to get in and out of its stores quickly.
The company says it has listened and beginning March 23, is implementing the following: Store hours will remain 9 a.m.-7 pm. Every day between 9-10 a.m., crew members will maintain an additional line outside the front door for senior customers. This will ensure that those customers in need will have an expedited entrance to the store to help make their experience a more positive one, the company says.
Raley’s rewards hourly team members
Raley’s Chairman Michael Teel and CEO Keith Knopf have announced a one-time reward for all hourly employees in a letter and video.
This reward recognizes the dedication team members have shown across store operations and other support services throughout the past two weeks. The reward is tied to individual hours worked and will vary but is expected to average about $500 per team member. Team members will receive the reward on April 3.
In addition to a reward, Raley’s has reaffirmed its commitment to team member safety. This includes ongoing sanitation, an emphasis on social distancing and supplementing pay and benefits for team members afflicted with Covid-19.
The company has successfully hired 700 team members across the company footprint to support the increased workload, many of whom are being trained in store now.
UFCW members working at Safeway to receive $2/hour ‘appreciation pay’ raise
Grocery workers at Safeway stores will earn an extra $2 per hour as “appreciation pay” for their service during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, UFCW 8-Golden State President Jacques Loveall.
In addition, Safeway is installing plexiglass barriers at check stands to help safeguard supermarket personnel, Loveall said.
“Discussions are ongoing with union employers regarding other safety measures to protect workers who interact with the public at great personal sacrifice,” Loveall said. “Joint labor-management committees are also in place with the Save Mart and Raley’s supermarket chains to addresses the unique challenges posed by the Covid-19 outbreak. These workers are heroes serving on the front lines doing all they can to ensure we have access to the food, medicine and essential goods we need. As true professionals, these workers do their jobs to the best of their ability and with smiles on their faces. Please take a moment to appreciate these workers as they fulfill the vital needs of our communities.”
UFCW 8-Golden State represents approximately 35,000 members in supermarkets, drug stores, food processing plants, wineries, distilleries, cannabis facilities, medical offices and other workplaces from the Oregon border in the north to Kern County in the south.
