Lidl Raises Minimum Wage To $16.50

LONG ISLAND, NY — Lidl, the supermarket chain that runs 10 stores on Long Island, announced Wednesday it will raise its minimum wage for local workers.

Starting March 8, the starting pay for all hourly employees on Long Island will be $16.50 an hour — $2.50 more than the current minimum wage in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Lidl said it will be the highest starting wage among Long Island grocers.

"Lidl is committed to offering team members on Long Island a market-leading wage and benefits package," said Eoin Byrne, Lidl's chief human resources officer in the United States, in a statement. "We are proud to provide our team with the support they need to be at their best and serve our customers."

Lidl said it has more than 300 workers on Long Island. The company offers health coverage for full- and part-time employees.

Local officials praised the wage increase.

“Long Island is an expensive place to live and the commitment shown by Lidl to provide strong wages combined with low cost high quality grocery is of great benefit to both employees and consumers," state Sen. Kevin Thomas said.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, "One undeniable truth about the COVID-19 pandemic is that it has shed a spotlight on the critical role that essential workers play in keeping our economy moving and families secure during times of need. Lidl’s new market-leading wage and benefits package is deservedly raising the bar for compensating grocery store workers who have gone to work each day to make sure their neighbors have access to the goods and supplies that they rely on."

State Sen. John Brooks said it is "crucial" workers be paid good starting wages, especially during hard economic times.

Lidl, based in Germany, came to Long Island in 2019 after taking over the Best Market stores in the area. It runs stores in East Meadow, Massapequa, Plainview, West Babylon, Huntington Station, East Northport, Oakdale, Lake Grove, East Patchogue and Center Moriches.