All grocery store workers deserve hazard pay boost

I think it’s too bad that the front-line workers such as grocery store employees have not been authorized to receive the additional hazard pay mentioned in the article (“Geography defines who gets grocery hazard pay — and who doesn’t,” The Herald, July 11). It’s unfairness like this that causes resentment and distrust.

There is no good reason why employers shouldn’t want to pay their employees hazard pay, let alone required, even though it likely means raising the prices on the goods they sell. And if employers can’t and won’t pony up (even though they benefit from the additional risks their employees expose themselves to), then the funds from the federal American Rescue Plan should allocate funds accordingly. Regardless, it seems only right to compensate someone for exposing themselves to the hazards of working with the general public during the pandemic, particularly those who typically are in minimum or lower wage jobs. We all benefited from their continued work, so it’s OK if we end up paying a little more. We already are on so many other levels.

Chris Freeman

Everett