Over the past year, about one-third of U.S. states have used federal COVID-19 relief aid to reward workers considered essential who dutifully reported to jobs during the pandemic. But who qualified for those bonuses -- and how much they received — varied widely, according to an Associated Press review. While some were paid thousands of dollars, others with similar jobs elsewhere received nothing.
“I don’t think anyone was opposed to it,” said Melissa Unger, executive director of Service Employees International Union Local 503. But “no one prioritized it.” Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration provided a temporary 12% pay boost last year to nearly 24,000 state workers whose jobs put them at risk of contracting COVID-19. Most of the $62 million cost was covered with federal funds.
Louisiana spent more than $38 million last year providing $250 payments to more than 152,000 “frontline workers” earning less than $50,000 annually, according to state data provided to the AP. Health care workers received the largest share of the money, followed by grocery store workers and law enforcement personnel. But payments also went to gas station workers, child-care providers, janitors, bus drivers and others.
DavidALieb Most constituents are paid for our labor & skills so who are we voting in that’s fighting to get us a fair rate of exchange? Anyone? 🦗🦗🦗🦗
DavidALieb RT DineshDSouza: Fauci: Vaccine Hesitancy Will Create 'Two Americas'
DavidALieb I know I haven't even gotten a thank you from my employer.
DavidALieb Lol what damn hazard pay!! We got the right to not get fired. Wanted more? Work OT. Your employer does not care for you.
DavidALieb That's the America way, use people until they can't use them any longer then give them a award.
DavidALieb 1 month that was it.