H-E-B makes pandemic-related worker pay increase permanent

Pay increases for H-E-B hourly employees that were implemented as the coronavirus pandemic hit Texas in March are now permanent, the grocery chain announced on Monday.

Hourly employees were given $2-an-hour pay bumps, called "Texas Proud Pay."

The grocery chain on Monday said they were making the Texas Proud Pay program a long-term, permanent investment in its employees, but did not specify a dollar amount in its statement. The American-Statesman has reached out for confirmation.

In addition to the increase, employees will now receive extended medical leave. If an employee is diagnosed with the coronavirus, they will receive pay, the grocery chain said.

Martin Luther King Day will now be a paid holiday for H-E-B employees, whom the company referred to as "partners" in its statement.

"We believe this crisis will be around for an indeterminate amount of time and our goal is to reward our Partners for their hard work and dedication with more than temporary bonuses," H-E-B officials said in the statement.

"Throughout the coronavirus crisis, H-E-B Partners have demonstrated our collective commitment to take care of Texans," officials said.

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