RI becomes first state to establish grocery self-checkout limits

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island is now the first state in the country to implement self-checkout lane restrictions at grocery stores.

Gov. Dan McKee joined local workers and leaders in Providence Thursday to publicly sign the Restrictions on “Self-Service Checkout Stations Act” into law. It initially passed in the Senate last month, but a revised version was sent back by the House on June 10. The Senate passed the amended bill the next day, advancing it to McKee’s desk.

 “Today, we’re protecting jobs and strengthening customer service,” McKee said. “Whether it’s helping a customer with an issue, assisting a senior, or ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, this law is about preserving choice and keeping people at the center of the shopping experience.”

Under the new legislation, all grocery stores in the state will be required to have one manually staffed cashier lane for every three self-checkout stations. It also limits the tasks a worker can be assigned, stating that their employer must relieve them of all other duties — including running a manual lane — while monitoring self-checkout stations. Additionally, one manual cashier lane must always be open in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Grocery stores that violate the law can be fined based on the wages for one full shift at the highest hourly pay rate, up to $1,000 per day. If a store continues not to comply after being notified of a violation, it may face more penalties under the state consumer protection laws.

Employees and consumers are entitled to file complaints with the R.I. Department of Labor & Training without fear of retaliation if they notice a store is out of compliance, according to the legislation.

Senate President Valarie Lawson said she introduced the bill out of concern for cashier workers, as well as customers who might struggle with “frustrating” self-checkout experiences.

“We’ve all experienced an issue using a self-service checkout and had to wait for an overtaxed employee to come over to resolve it, an experience that can be far more challenging for elderly members of the community,” Lawson said. “This bill would provide options for the consumer by making sure staffed checkout lanes are always available while also improving the store environment for workers and consumers.”

Last week, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) and UFCW Local 328 released statements celebrating the bill’s passage, calling it a major win for workers and shoppers.

“UFCW Local 328 members in the grocery industry are often overburdened, having to monitor too many self-checkouts while shoppers face delays,” UFCW Local 328 Secretary-Treasurer Domenic Pontarelli said. “Staffing ratios fix this issue for all parties.”

“This technology has always been a raw deal for shoppers and workers, shifting the labor onto customers while taking hours away from workers,” UFCW International Vice President Ademola Oyefeso added. “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.”

Meanwhile, Scott Bromberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Food Dealers Association, expressed strong disdain for the measure, arguing that it puts traditional grocery stores at a “competitive disadvantage.”

“On behalf of the grocery industry, RIFDA has been vehemently opposed to self-checkout legislation,” Bromberg said in a statement to 12 News. “Our industry is being unfairly targeted, when checkout automation has spread to all retail environments including hardware stores, mass merchants,  dollar stores, pharmacies, and even fast-food chains.”

Bromberg also said the bill will only make it more difficult for Rhode Island grocery stores to operate “as they see fit,” noting that it could lead to longer lines and higher prices.

“Grocery retailers run at razor thin margins and need flexibility to effectively and efficiently operate their stores, offer competitive prices, and provide great customer service,” he continued.

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