A major grocer is pushing to classify its employees as first responders, giving them priority for testing and protective gear, 7 April 2020 

The CEO of Albertsons Companies and the president of a major retail union are calling on government officials to protect grocery workers.

United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, or the UFCW, released a statement to Business Insider announcing that it had partnered with the retailer.

Albertsons and UFCW are seeking "a temporary designation of 'extended first responders' or 'emergency personnel' for supermarket associates."

The retail company and the union argue that grocery employees risking their safety on the frontlines should receive the designation in order to receive priority COVID-19 testing.