One of the key initiatives in my campaign is the fight for COVID Hazard Pay—a plan to provide up to 2,720 hours of retroactive hazard pay at $4 per hour for all Stations employees who worked during New York’s COVID-19 State of Emergency, from March 7, 2020, to June 25, 2021. This pay is intended to recognize the extraordinary circumstances we endured during one of the most challenging periods in modern history.

Why COVID Hazard Pay Matters

• Recognizing the Risks We Took: During the height of the pandemic, Stations employees were on the frontlines, ensuring that essential workers and millions of New Yorkers could get where they needed to go. While others could stay home to protect their health, we didn’t have that option—we showed up every day, often without proper personal protective equipment (PPE) or reliable safety measures. COVID-19 claimed over 75,000 lives in New York alone, and many of us faced this risk head-on while working in environments that increased our exposure to the virus.

• Financial Compensation for Essential Work: While healthcare workers and emergency responders were rightfully praised, the contributions of Stations employees have often been overlooked. The $4 per hour hazard pay is a way to retroactively compensate us for the additional risks we took on, risks that weren’t reflected in our paychecks at the time. Hazard pay would provide long-overdue recognition for the essential work we did under hazardous conditions.

• Up to 2,720 Hours of Retroactive Pay: For those who worked throughout the entire State of Emergency, this initiative would cover up to 2,720 hours of hazard pay, offering significant compensation for those who faced the greatest exposure. This could result in up to $10,880 in additional pay, recognizing the time and sacrifice we put in during the pandemic.

The Economic Impact

• Economic Justice for Frontline Workers: Stations employees worked in one of the highest-risk environments during the pandemic, often with no increase in pay. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public transportation workers had a higher likelihood of contracting COVID-19 due to consistent exposure to large groups of people in confined spaces . The retroactive hazard pay would help address this disparity and provide economic justice for those who kept the city moving under extreme circumstances.

• Precedents for Hazard Pay: Many essential workers across the country received hazard pay or bonuses for their efforts during the pandemic. For example, Maryland provided up to $3.13 per hour in hazard pay for its essential employees, and various companies issued temporary hazard pay increases for their workers. New York’s Stations employees deserve the same level of recognition for the risks they faced, and this initiative would ensure that we are not left behind.

Why it Matters Now

• Acknowledging the Past, Securing the Future: The State of Emergency ended in June 2021, but the risks and sacrifices we made during that period still affect many of us today. Some of us faced illness, stress & personal losses due to our jobs during that time. This initiative isn’t just about providing financial compensation; it’s about acknowledging our contributions and ensuring that we’re not overlooked in future crises.

• Setting a New Standard for Worker Safety and Compensation: By securing retroactive COVID hazard pay, we send a clear message that our union will not let the efforts and sacrifices of its members go unrecognized. As we move forward, this initiative sets a precedent that protects and values all Stations employees, ensuring we receive fair compensation during extraordinary times of crisis.

Retroactive COVID Hazard Pay is about righting a wrong and ensuring that every Stations employee who worked through the pandemic is compensated for the risks we took. Together, we can make this a reality and demonstrate that our union stands strong in advocating for fairness and justice. Let's make sure our efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic are properly valued and recognized.