100 signatures reached
To: US Congress
Hazard Pay for Essential Workers
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Hazard pay that would be retroactive from January 27 should be provided for essential workers who have and continue to put their lives at risk. Many essential workers, such as those who work at grocery stores and in health related fields, have been called heroes for providing services during this pandemic. We have only received a small $2 bonus, which has now been eliminated in many places. Essential workers, especially those in public facing and low income positions, such as grocery workers, deserve to be paid fairly for our labor, putting our lives and the lives of our loved ones at risk, and for the physical and mental strain that has ensued as a result.
Why is this important?
I am an essential worker at a grocery store. Unlike those who have been able to work from home or have been furloughed and collect an extra $600 in unemployment, I have been showing up to work throughout the coronavirus pandemic. I provide an essential service to my community and, as such, should be paid accordingly, especially when I am putting my life at risk each and everyday I work.
The risks involved in dealing with large groups of people indoors during a pandemic are high. Also, most essential workers have to travel long distances, many by public transportation, adding to their risk of becoming ill from COVID-19. Many of my fellow coworkers have gotten ill from COVID-19; some have been sick for months. At this time we don't know what long-lasting effects result from COVID-19, although evidence is starting to show even asymptomatic cases can cause lung damage.
Aside from the trauma of working during the coronavirus pandemic, many grocery store workers rely on working several jobs at once and many of these jobs in the service industry are no longer available. Most of us live paycheck-to-paycheck, and have no real financial stability when we need it the most. The added stress and anxiety of trying to make ends meet at a time when our hours are being cut and other sources of income are not available takes a huge toll on us mentally and physically.
Grocery store workers, truck drivers, doctors, and nurses have been the lifeline for communities, especially during this pandemic. We certainly appreciate all the thanks we have received, but it is time to show real appreciation by providing us with retroactive hazard pay. In this way, we can continue to serve the community knowing we are supported financially during this pandemic. I call on the US Congress to add retroactive hazard pay for essential workers into the new stimulus bill.
The risks involved in dealing with large groups of people indoors during a pandemic are high. Also, most essential workers have to travel long distances, many by public transportation, adding to their risk of becoming ill from COVID-19. Many of my fellow coworkers have gotten ill from COVID-19; some have been sick for months. At this time we don't know what long-lasting effects result from COVID-19, although evidence is starting to show even asymptomatic cases can cause lung damage.
Aside from the trauma of working during the coronavirus pandemic, many grocery store workers rely on working several jobs at once and many of these jobs in the service industry are no longer available. Most of us live paycheck-to-paycheck, and have no real financial stability when we need it the most. The added stress and anxiety of trying to make ends meet at a time when our hours are being cut and other sources of income are not available takes a huge toll on us mentally and physically.
Grocery store workers, truck drivers, doctors, and nurses have been the lifeline for communities, especially during this pandemic. We certainly appreciate all the thanks we have received, but it is time to show real appreciation by providing us with retroactive hazard pay. In this way, we can continue to serve the community knowing we are supported financially during this pandemic. I call on the US Congress to add retroactive hazard pay for essential workers into the new stimulus bill.