UFCW Celebrates Passage of First Statewide Self-Checkout Legislation in Rhode Island

Bill mandates 1:3 staffing ratio for self-checkout stands, heads to Governor McKee's desk for signature

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) and UFCW Local 328, which represents grocery workers across Rhode Island, released statements celebrating the Rhode Island legislature's passage of S. 2342/H. 7290, which mandates a staffing ratio of one grocery worker for every three self-checkout stations. This is a major win for both consumers and workers, allowing self-checkouts and workers to better serve shoppers. The measure will also help recoup millions in tax revenue in The Ocean State. Retail theft cost Rhode Island $17.1 million in lost sales taxes in 2022, with thefts 16 times more likely to take place at self-checkouts than employee-managed cash registers. The bill, led by Senate President Valarie Lawson and Representative Megan Cotter, awaits Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee's signature and would become the first statewide self-checkout staffing ratio in the country.

"This bill means better service for customers and stronger support for grocery workers," said UFCW Local 328 Secretary-Treasurer Domenic Pontarelli. "UFCW Local 328 members in the grocery industry are often overburdened, having to monitor too many self-checkouts while shoppers face delays. Staffing ratios fix this issue for all parties. We thank Senate President Lawson and Representative Cotter for their tremendous leadership standing up for both consumers and workers across Rhode Island."

"Staffing ratios are common sense for self-checkouts," said UFCW International Vice President Ademola Oyefeso. "This technology has always been a raw deal for shoppers and workers, shifting the labor onto customers while taking hours away from workers. We applaud the Rhode Island legislature for passing this bill, making it easier and faster for families to put food on the table, and we look forward to Governor McKee's signature."

S. 2342/H. 7290 is part of UFCW's "Affordable Groceries and Good Jobs Campaign." Contact [email protected] to learn more about self-checkout staffing ratios and legislative efforts to protect both consumers and workers.