This week, UFCW 21 member and Fred Meyer worker Chris Navarrette was given the Key to the City of Federal Way, on behalf of the Federal Way grocery store workers who have served our community throughout the pandemic.

Chris was also honored for his work on a hazard pay ordinance in the City of Federal Way. After speaking up about hazard pay in a video for union negotiations with Fred Meyer, Chris attended a UFCW 21 webinar on what it takes to organize around hazard pay at the city level. He helped spur negotiations for a Federal Way hazard pay ordinance, which is now being considered by Federal Way City Council, and he testified at a city council meeting.

Here’s what Chris had to say at his Key to the City ceremony:

“Good evening, I am honored to accept this key to the city on behalf of all grocery workers in Federal Way. Since the start of this pandemic, grocery workers have gone to work every day, putting themselves and their families at risk in order to keep our communities fed. I am grateful that the Mayor and the City Council are recognizing the hard work of grocery workers during this unprecedented time. I am also pleased that the city is going to consider hazard pay for grocery workers. While I am the individual that is accepting this award, it is truly deserved by each and every grocery worker in this city. Thank you again for this honor, and it is a privilege to participate in this ceremony with so many other essential workers.”

Want to organize around workers’ rights in your area or get involved in local politics where you live to help make sure working people have a voice? Talk to your Shop Steward or Union Rep about how to get involved!