The Monroe County Legislature on Wednesday approved a measure to temporarily provide 10- to 20-percent "hazard pay" wage increases for about half of the county workers who are deemed to be at greater risk of exposure to COVID-19 and who have worked extended hours because of the pandemic.
Some 2,400 county workers will benefit from the measure, including those employed at Monroe Community Hospital, the Sheriff’s Office, the Greater Rochester International Airport, and in the departments of Public Health, Human Services, Environmental Services, Veterans Services, and Public Safety.
Those employees are social service case workers, child welfare investigators, emergency housing personnel, law enforcement, jail guards, environmental service workers, nurses, food service workers, and others.
Some 2,400 county workers will benefit from the measure, including those employed at Monroe Community Hospital, the Sheriff’s Office, the Greater Rochester International Airport, and in the departments of Public Health, Human Services, Environmental Services, Veterans Services, and Public Safety.
- PHOTO BY KRESTIA DEGEORGE
- Tragedy waiting to happen: Members of the Federation of Social Workers protest the county budget proposal, among other things, last week in downtown Rochester.
Those employees are social service case workers, child welfare investigators, emergency housing personnel, law enforcement, jail guards, environmental service workers, nurses, food service workers, and others.
The additional pay is projected to cost $542,000 per biweekly pay period and is to be funded by part of a $129 million grant from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“I am extraordinarily grateful to legislators on both sides of the aisle for recognizing the sacrifices so many Monroe County employees are making,” Bello said. “Undaunted by the personal risks they face, these frontline employees remain committed to serving the public, day in and day out, during this very difficult time.”
Related Bello proposes 10-20% 'hazard pay' for Monroe County workers
Bello proposes 10-20% 'hazard pay' for Monroe County workers
Workers in line for increases include 2,400 employees who work in areas of public safety, health, and environmental services.
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Meanwhile, the city of Rochester is preparing to lay off or furlough an unspecified number of city workers. Mayor Lovely Warren is expected to announce details in the coming weeks.
