Later this month, New England grocer Big Y Foods plans to enact a pay raise for all hourly workers.
As part of the multi-million dollar investment, starting pay rates for all clerks, customer service, fresh food and central store specialists and assistant department managers will be increased effective June 26, the Springfield, Mass.-based supermarket chain announced Thursday. Nearly 7,600 of the company’s retail employees will benefit from the wage hike. The amount of the increase was not disclosed. In total, the company has nearly 11,000 employees.
“We are proud to invest in our hard-working store teams who have been on the front lines for the past two years supporting our customers and our community,” said Charles D’Amour, President and CEO of Big Y, in a press release. “We know that household budgets are squeezed by inflation. We hope that by increasing their hourly rates, we will help them through these difficult times as we recognize and appreciate their efforts and loyalty.
“We hope that by increasing their hourly rates, we will help them through these difficult times as we recognize and appreciate their efforts and loyalty.” — Charles D’Amour, President and CEO, Big Y Foods (Photo courtesy of Big Y)
Store operations associates receiving the raise work at Big Y supermarkets, convenience stores/gas stations and the Table & Vine liquor store. Once the increase is implemented, all retail employees will be paid above minimum wage in Massachusetts and Connecticut, Big Y noted. An average Big Y supermarket is supported by full-time employees and part-time, including specialized positions such as cake decorators, floral specialists and various management levels, the company said, adding that senior management was not included in the salary. hike.
“This salary increase only concerns hourly employees. There were several factors at play, such as the position held by the employee, whether full-time or part-time, and years of service to name a few. The majority of our store employees will see an increase starting June 26,” Michael Galat, vice president of employee services, told Supermarket News in an email Thursday.
According to Big Y, recent employee feedback indicates that store teams have a “high level of appreciation” for teamwork in the workplace and their contribution to company initiatives. Currently, 3,282 employees have more than 10 years of service and 7,409 have more than five years of service. The grocer said more than 3,000 associates recently attended one-on-one career path meetings and all benefits are continually reviewed and updated. Workers can also participate in three employee resource groups, focused on diversity, equity and inclusion as well as leadership development for women and a multigenerational workforce. Other university internship programs are also being piloted with local colleges.
Over the past year, Big Y has held three on-site hiring events. Another hiring drive, for a new store opening in Norwood, Mass., began June 7 and will run through July 2. department heads, assistant department heads, night stock clerks. Part-time positions are available in all departments.
“Our company appreciates the hard work and efforts of our employees at all times, especially in recent years during the pandemic. Our employees were on the front line providing our customers and communities with an essential service during this time,” Galat said. “We also recognize, with inflation at its highest level in 40 years, that [wage] increase can help our employees and their families by easing their financial burden.
Overall, Big Y operates 85 stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including 71 Big Y World Class Market supermarkets, one Table & Vine Fine Wines & Liquors store, and 13 Big Y Express convenience/fuel stores. A new small store format announced in April, Big Y Express Fresh Market, will be the company’s fourth retail banner.
