Ordinance mandates that a single employee can oversee no more than 3 self-checkout machines at once
The Costa Mesa City Council voted Tuesday to approve an ordinance that will require grocery stores and retail pharmacies to staff their self-checkout areas with dedicated employees, setting a new standard for worker protection and customer service in Southern California.
The “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores” ordinance, which passed Feb. 17 and goes into effect on April 20, mandates that one employee oversee no more than three self-checkout machines at a time. Stores must also keep at least one staffed checkout lane open before any self-checkout stations can be activated. The rules apply to grocery stores larger than 15,000 square feet and all drug retail establishments with a self-checkout.
UFCW Local 324 President Jose Perez, whose union represents workers at many Southern California retail chains, called the vote a win for both employees and shoppers…