The California Grocers Association is suing the city of Oakland over its $5/hr hazard pay mandate for grocery workers during the pandemic.
The trade group claims the requirement violates the constitution's equal protection clause by singling out large grocery chains and ignoring other classes of essential workers. It also contends it illegally preempts collective bargaining laws. The Oakland City Council passed the hazard pay ordinance unanimously on Tuesday night and several other jurisdictions are considering it. The Association is also suing Long Beach and Montebello, which have passed similar ordinances.