Workers and Community Testify in Support of Santa Ana Self-Checkout Regulation Ordinance, Following the Success of Long Beach and Costa Mesa
Santa Ana, CA – On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the Santa Ana City Council introduced the “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores” ordinance to address staffing and operational standards for the use of self-checkout in grocery retail stores and retail drug establishments in the city. The ordinance that proactively addresses retail theft and advances public safety in the city of Santa Ana was passed 7-0 by the City Council.
“Across our communities and stores, we are seeing a rapid expansion of self-checkout machines. Not to improve service, but to cut jobs,” said Jose Perez, president, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 324. “Cities across California are already taking action because they recognize that safe stores are staffed stores, and we’re proud Santa Ana is joining their ranks. The ‘Safe Stores are Staffed Stores’ ordinance brings real positive change for workers and customers, and by passing this ordinance, Santa Ana will provide thousands of workers – union and non-union – with extra support and better service for customers.”
The grocery industry consistently fights back against similar ordinances in an effort to continue reducing labor costs by using self-checkout systems. The practice of understaffing and the increasingly widespread reliance on self-checkout create an unsafe environment for both shoppers and workers. Customers, particularly seniors and people with disabilities, are frequently left to struggle with technology that they may not be able to use effectively. These vulnerable populations are underserved and isolated, without the assistance they need, and often face long delays in service.
“Self-checkout is only run by one person, typically a cashier, until someone comes and alleviates them, and at the same time, they’re answering phones, unlocking baby formula, unlocking liquor, and more,” said Jorge Rordirguez, Bakery Manager, Albertsons in Santa Ana. “This creates an unsafe environment. We’re chronically understaffed at the store, and customers often have to leave self-checkout to go find someone. Management says nothing can be done, but there is. This ordinance will help my co-workers because their only task would be watching those three self-checkout machines.”
The “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores” ordinance will set a new benchmark for worker protection. The ordinance seeks to improve citywide public safety, safeguard employees, and lower retail theft. It requires all drug retail establishments with self-checkout stations and grocery stores larger than 15,000 square feet to have a minimum staffing ratio of at least one dedicated employee for every three self-checkout machines and requires one manned checkstand to be open at all times when self-checkout kiosks are in operation.
The ordinance is expected to be heard for its second reading in two weeks.
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