Supermarket workers in Texas are asking their employer to turn their newest mask policy around.
Hundreds of employees at HEB, a supermarket chain based in San Antonio, are asking the company to reverse its recent decision to just recommend that customers wear masks, rather than making it an absolute requirement. Supermarkets, however, will still require masks from employees and salespeople.
HEB announced its new policy last week after Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed an executive order terminating the state mask’s mandate on March 10.
VIDEO: SUPERMARKET BUYER OLD EMPLOYEE TRYING TO APPLY MASK RULES
In the following days, HEB employees at odds with the company’s new policy organized an event on Facebook, during which they planned to call corporate leaders and demand that they reinstate the requirement.
Following Governor Abbott’s decision to terminate the Texas state mask mandate, HEB confirmed that it was encouraging the continued use of masks for customers, but did not require it.
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“HEB’s mask recommendation instead of a requirement will hurt workers, buyers and communities,” says a page from the Facebook event, planned for earlier this week. “As one of the leading supermarket chains in the state and the country, HEB has a moral responsibility to serve its communities and enforce CDC guidelines within its walls.”
The group also included telephone numbers for the network’s corporate headquarters in San Antonio, as well as a reference model for supporters to use, describing what they should say on the call.
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After Tuesday’s efforts, the group’s plans celebrated coverage of the event by local media and promised “to continue our fight for better working conditions and a safe experience for our face-to-face buyers.”
A group representative was not immediately available to share details of the corporate response, if any, to his calls. HEB also had not published any changes to its most recent mask policy on Wednesday morning.
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Following Governor Abbott’s decision to terminate the Texas state mask mandate, several supermarket chains operating in Texas have reiterated or adjusted their current policies. Kroger and Aldi, for example, said they would maintain their mask requirements for customers and employees, while Albertsons and HEB said masks would only be encouraged, although not required.
The company also confirmed on Twitter that it would not “clash” with those who refused the request – although that statement did not please some on Twitter.
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A HEB representative did not immediately respond to requests for more information about its current mask policy.