Grocery store workers now included in Kentucky's child care services for first responders

Grocery store workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak in Kentucky will now be eligible for the state's child care services, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Tuesday.

Retail grocery store employees have quickly found themselves working for one of the few businesses still operating in the state, interacting with dozens, if not hundreds, of customers per day, while stocking shelves and assisting customers.

"We need our grocery store workers," Beshear said Tuesday, as he made the announcement. "We want to thank them for what they're doing."

Some states, including Minnesota and Vermont, had classified those employees as "essential," opening them up for benefits that health care workers, police and other personnel can receive.

But in Kentucky, they were not initially included in the child care services established by Beshear's team in mid-March.

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Beshear said Tuesday he was able to include grocery store workers now, knowing that the state had capacity in existing facilities providing child care.

"We know that the food supply chain is safe, but we have to make sure that we have enough people that are there stocking the shelves day in and day out," Beshear said at his evening news conference.

The union representing retail grocery store workers and other food service industries, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 227 in Louisville, had been pushing for Kentucky and Indiana to grant employees "first responder" status and line them up for benefits, such as quicker COVID-19 testing, personal protective equipment access and child care services.

"They're heroes. They're going into work. They're risking their personal health and safety to serve their communities," said spokeswoman Caitlin Blair.

That status, she said, could mean workers get:

Access to child care services offered to other first responders

A "place in line" as protective equipment, also known as PPE, such as masks or gloves, becomes more available

Access to faster testing, should they start to develop symptoms

Earlier: As day cares close, state moves to provide child care for 'essential workers'

On Tuesday evening, Blair said the union was grateful for the governor's actions and proud to be on "team Kentucky."

"Our members will continue to work on the front lines to service their communities each day, and this recognition, giving them the support and benefits available to other front-line workers, is certainly well-deserved for these heroic workers," she said.

Local 227 represents 25,000 workers in the retail grocery, meat packing and food processing industries across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. It also represents some garment workers and distillery workers.

W. Andrew Pierce, vice president of marketing and development for the YMCA of Greater Louisville, said the organization looks forward to having conversations with grocers now that their employees qualify for essential worker child care services.

The YMCA is offering child care at six locations at a daily rate of $40.

That arrangement must be worked out between the YMCA and an employer, Pierce said, meaning grocery workers won't be able to take advantage of the service until their company signs a memorandum of understanding with the YMCA. Who covers the cost of care — the employee or the company — is up to the employer, Pierce said.

Kentucky's program was originally available for employees of health care entities, first responders (law enforcement, EMS, fire departments), corrections officers, military, activated National Guard, domestic violence shelter workers, child advocacy workers, rape crisis center staff and Department for Community Based Services workers, according to a memo sent March 19.

Kentucky coronavirus live updates: Follow along for the latest news

The grocery workers' union president, Bob Blair, wrote in a letter updating union members on coronavirus efforts that leaders were in "discussions" with the governors of Kentucky and Indiana to get a "first responders" designation that "will provide quicker access to testing and additional protections necessary to do your jobs."

Blair said Kentucky and Indiana are reviewing the union's request for PPE supplies and access to quicker testing.

On March 20, guidance from Indiana recommended giving first priority for children of first responders, medical professionals and "other professionals whose work is essential for the general community to stay healthy and safe."

"This includes children of workers who provide access to food and/or work in the general supply chain for goods, services and other basic needs," it said.

A spokeswoman for Gov. Eric Holcomb said the workers are considered "essential" in Indiana and in the child care guidance from the state.

But, Blair said, local governments and school districts in Indiana are responsible for administering the program, so the union is in the process of contacting local governments to learn about the situation in their communities.

In Vermont, the state's public safety department added grocery store workers to its list of essential employees, making them eligible for free child care through the state's program. It also includes others in the supply chain, such as delivery drivers.

Read more: Grocery stores are letting seniors in early amid coronavirus outbreak

Minnesota, too, has added store clerks, stockers, food preparation staff and other grocery store employees to the list of emergency workers, giving them access to free child care.

Many retail grocery stores in Kentucky have reduced store hours to allow for deep cleanings, and some have reserved shopping times specifically for vulnerable customers, including seniors.

Walmart, Kroger and others plan to also install plexiglass barriers between customers and cashiers to protect shoppers and store employees from any airborne droplets known to transmit the virus.

Reporter Mandy McLaren contributed to this story.

Darcy Costello: 502-582-4834; dcostello@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @dctello. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/darcyc.