MOOSIC -- It's a Halloween treat for some workers in our area as a local employer is set to increase starting salaries this weekend.
Gerrity's Supermarkets says it will hike minimum wages starting this Sunday.
Behind the deli counter at Gerrity's Supermarket in Moosic, rush time can be tough for the team of workers. With customers taking numbers and waiting their turns, it's important to get to them quickly while tending to other duties.
“It's very stressful,” said deli manager Mikki Dziadosz. “Very demanding, everybody should have your undivided attention but you're being pulled in 10 different directions at once. I mean fryer's going off, people need to be waited on.”
And it's that high pressure in the deli department and other departments that's prompted Gerrity's to increase the starting salaries for several positions at all its stores.
Joe Fasula with Gerrity's says it’s an effort to attract and keep new employees.
“We've increased production. We've increased sales. We cut more in our meat department. We bake more in our bakery, produce more in our kitchens and in order to do that you need hands,” said Fasula.
Starting November 1, full-time employees will make $10 an hour. Part-time and mid-shift staff will make $9 an hour.
For part-time worker Kaylee Bird, this a raise from her current hourly pay of $8.25. The 19 year old says this will help with college.
“I was really happy,” said Bird. “It will help with more, more money, books and stuff.”
Some shoppers may be concerned that due to the wage increase there will be a price increase on products. but Gerrity's maintains it will provide competitive costs for its customers.
“That's wonderful because everybody's having it rough, the prices and not getting raises and everything, but I think it’s great and if they keep their prices low, I'll shop here all the time,” said Ceil Cadwader from Old Forge.
“Oh it's a win-win for everybody. The employees deserve to have a raise if that's deserved of them and if they keep the competitive prices I'll keep shopping here,” said Paul Rushefski from Old Forge.
