Hazard Pay for Essential Workers during COVID-19
Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York State Legislators, New York State Department of Labor
COVID-19 has had a severe impact on our economy and everyday lives. But while most of us are staying home to stop the spread of the pandemic, our health care and food service services are putting their lives and their families' lives at risk to save others and continue providing essential services.
New York's essential workers deserve more than just our thanks. They should be compensated for the danger they face as they work through a pandemic. Many work in jobs that are underpaid to begin with, including nurses, nursing home staff, package carriers, and food service workers.
For the dangerous work New York's essential workers are providing during the COVID-19 pandemic, they should receive an additional $13 per hour for the duration of the crisis. We should take action immediately to ensure that our heroes at the front lines of the epicenter are justly compensated.
Sponsored by
To:
Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York State Legislators, New York State Department of Labor
From:
[Your Name]
The People of New York ask that all workers providing essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic, as defined by Executive Order 202.6, be guaranteed an additional $13 in wages per hour of work.
Health care workers and food service workers signed up to save lives and help feed families, not to risk their own lives and families in the process. Their service now goes above and beyond. Their pay should do the same.
Notwithstanding under-compensation prior to COVID-19 for many of the jobs now deemed essential, this pay increase would be not only a demonstration of the gratitude of New Yorkers and New York State for essential workers, but also just compensation for the risk they are undertaking to maintain vital services.
We request that a $13 per hour pay increase take effect immediately and that the increase be retroactive to March 23rd, 2020, the first business day of Governor Cuomo's Policy that Assures Uniform Safety for Everyone (PAUSE) executive order, to be issued as a lump sum. The pay increase should continue for the duration of NYS PAUSE.
Respectfully,