Washington Times-
Kroger said it will close three supermarkets in Los Angeles, citing what it described as an “arbitrary” $5-per-hour pandemic pay increase for grocery workers.
Los Angeles passed an ordinance last month that gave employees of retail grocery stores, retail drug stores, and large retail stores with a grocery or drug store component a $5-per-hour bump, dubbed “Hero Pay,” which went into effect Feb. 26 and continues for each hour an employee works for up to 120 days.
Kroger announced Wednesday the cost increase is too much for at least three underperforming supermarkets in Los Angeles, including two Ralphs and one Food 4 Less.
The California Right 