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“Heroes Fund” for Essential Frontline Workers?

A boost of as much as $25,000 in hazard pay for essential workers has been proposed in the Senate
By - posted 4/9/2020 No Comment

Could additional money for our nation’s essential workers be coming?

“Not all heroes wear capes,” some wear scrubs, uniforms, aprons, hard hats, headsets to answer emergency calls, others carry mops and cleaning materials, while some drive ambulances, trucks and collect our garbage, others you can see in your nearby groceries, pharmacies, farms and more.

The US Department of Homeland Security (CISA) has compiled a list so we may identify these unsung heroes we call essential workers, the brave souls that are risking their health during the coronavirus outbreak.

Senate Democrats are supporting our frontliners through their Proposal for Pandemic Premium Pay to Reward, Retain, & Recruit Essential Workers:

“Essential frontline workers are the true heroes of America’s COVID-19 pandemic response. Senate Democrats believe in providing premium pay to frontline workers during this pandemic to reward essential frontline workers, ensure the retention of essential workers who are working grueling hours on the frontlines of this crisis, and promote the recruitment of additional workers who will be needed in the months ahead.” – Read more

As Congress looks at a potential fourth COVID-19 bill, the following proposal is meant for consideration by Members of Congress, key stakeholders, and the American people. 

The proposal consists of two major components:

  1. A $25,000 pandemic premium pay increase for essential frontline workers, equivalent to a raise of an additional $13 per hour from the start of the public health emergency until December 31, 2020. 
  2. A $15,000 recruitment incentive for health and home care workers and first responders to attract and secure the workforce needed to fight the public health crisis.

Read more about The COVID-19 “Heroes Fund.