Grocery store workers call refusal to reinstate pandemic pay 'insulting'

Retail workers say the refusal by Canada's grocers to reinstate "hero pay" has left them feeling forgotten and unappreciated as the Omicron wave leaves many stores short-staffed and shoppers stocking up.

Retail workers say the refusal by Canada's grocers to reinstate "hero pay" has left them feeling forgotten and unappreciated as the Omicron wave leaves many stores short-staffed and shoppers stocking up.

Multiple grocery store workers say they are busier than ever with more staff calling in sick in the last two weeks than during the entire pandemic.

They say customers are also once again "clearing the shelves" and stocking up on food, which increases the workload in stores.

Tammy Laporte, a full-time grocery store worker, says the last two years have been the hardest of her 23-year career.

She says it's a "never-ending struggle" to keep the store running smoothly while adhering to increased cleaning requirements and enforcing public health measures.

Laporte says the decision by grocery chains not to bring back the $2-an-hour pay bump is "insulting."