Rhode Island Mandates Grocery Staffing Ratios for Self-Checkout

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and UFCW Local 328 backed the measure. "UFCW Local 328 members in the grocery industry are often overburdened, having to monitor too many self-checkouts while shoppers face delays," Local 328 Secretary-Treasurer Domenic Pontarelli said. "Staffing ratios fix this issue for all parties."

The Rhode Island Food Dealers Association opposed the law. The group said traditional grocery stores now face a competitive disadvantage, and the restrictions could lead to longer lines and higher prices.

Long Beach, California, passed a similar city ordinance last August. That law requires at least one employee for every three self-checkout stations, limits purchases to 15 items, and bans self-checkout for age-restricted or theft-deterrent products. Lawmakers in Massachusetts and New York City have also reviewed self-checkout management.

The Rhode Island bill passed the Senate last month, returned to the House on June 10 for revisions, and cleared the Senate again on June 11.