Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Gary Peters proposed the ‘Heroes Fund’ plan, which would ensure that essential workers receive hazard pay through the end of the year. The proposal includes pay increases for frontline workers like health care professionals, grocery store and delivery workers, and presses for additional protective gear to ensure workers can continue to perform their critical roles while protecting their health and safety.
As this crisis continues, Senator Peters has shown proven leadership time and time again, working for Michiganders who are fighting on behalf of their communities.
Read more about Gary Peters advocating for front line workers:
The Detroit News: Peters wants ‘essential workers’ to get up to $25k in hazard pay amid pandemic
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters on Wednesday detailed a proposal to give “essential workers” a government-funded boost in pay of up to $25,000 during the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the new “Heroes Fund” plan, essential workers would include not only front-line medical personnel like doctors and nurses but also pharmacists, grocery store workers, truck drivers, building cleaners, letter carriers, Transportation Security Administration and transit workers who interface with the public daily.
The pay bump would be equivalent to an increase of $13 an hour and would be retroactive, covering workers from the start of the public health emergency through the end of the year.
MLive: Michigan senator proposes $13 per hour increase for frontline workers during coronavirus crisis
Peters’ “COVID-19 Heroes Fund” proposal calls for federally-funded “premium pay”, akin to hazard pay, for health care professionals, grocery store workers, home care workers, first responders, pharmacists, postal workers and other essential frontline workers who are dealing with the public during the nation’s public health emergency.
Michigan Advance: Peters wants $13/hour bonus for frontline workers during COVID-19 crisis
The Heroes Fund isn’t just for health care workers. Those eligible for funding include postal service workers, home care workers, grocery store workers and any other worker performing necessary response functions to keep residents safe.
“So many people are working hard and performing essential duties to help our communities confront this pandemic, and they deserve to be compensated for their dedication,” Peters said in a press release. “This proposal not only addresses the financial needs of these essential workers, it also presses for additional protective gear and other measures that will help ensure they can continue to perform their critical roles while protecting their health and safety.”
WWMT: West Michigan grocery store employee gets COVID-19, workers call for more protection
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters is proposing the “Heroes Fund” to give essential workers, like grocery store employees more pay for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Folks who are in our grocery stores, we could not shelter here in place if we didn’t have a grocery store to go to to get the food that we need in order to live here at the house,” Sen. Peters said.
WSMH: Heroes Fund proposal calls for $25,000 pay increase for essential workers on front lines
The “Heroes Fund” would fully and federally-fund the premium pay, recruitment, and retention incentive to help support frontline workers.
WJBK: Michigan Senator proposes $25,000 ‘heroes’ pay for frontline essential workers
“So many people are working hard and performing essential duties to help our communities confront this pandemic, and they deserve to be compensated for their dedication,” said Senator Peters. “Whether it’s health care providers and food supply workers in the private sector, or postal workers and security professionals in the public sector, we owe our frontline workers our thanks and our support. This proposal not only addresses the financial needs of these essential workers, it also presses for additional protective gear and other measures that will help ensure they can continue to perform their critical roles while protecting their health and safety.”
The Oakland Press: Sen. Peters proposing ‘hazard pay’ for essential workers who can’t stay home
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, is proposing “hazard pay,” a raise of $13 per hour, for health care professionals, grocery store workers, first responders, pharmacists, postal workers and others who provide essential services and cannot work from home.
The State News: Sen. Gary Peters proposes COVID-19 ‘Heroes Fund’ to support frontline workers
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters has proposed the COVID-19 “Heroes Fund,” calling for pay increases to essential and frontline workers.
The fund would provide up to a $25,000 pandemic premium pay increase for all essential frontline workers, equivalent to a raise of an additional $13 per hour from the declaration of the public health emergency through December 31, according to a press release.
WJMN: Michigan Coronavirus: U.S. Senator Gary Peters discusses ‘COVID-19 Heroes Fund’
Peters’ proposal consists of two major components: a $25,000 premium pay increase for essential healthcare workers, which would equate to a raise of $13 per hour from the start of the public health emergency until December 31, 2020 and a $15,000 essential worker recruitment incentive to attract and secure the workforce needed in Michigan and across the country to fight this public health crisis.
WXYZ: Senate democrats unveil new coronavirus ‘hazard pay’ proposal
Tuesday, Senator Gary Peters unveiled proposed legislation to “provide pandemic premium pay to reward, retain and recruit frontline and essential workers.”
Press and Guide: Sen. Peters proposing ‘hazard pay’ for essential workers who can’t stay home
Peters’ proposed legislation would also press for additional protective gear and other needs that will help ensure the health and safety of essential workers.
A $15,000 recruitment incentive would attract additional health care workers, home care workers and first responders who will be needed over the coming months.
Petoskey News: Sen. Peters: Next aid package should include bonus for frontline workers
The measure passed unanimously and will dole out federal funds on a sweeping scope. But, in a teleconference with reporters Wednesday, Peters, D-Bloomfield Hills, emphasized the need to provide continued support for those who must continue to interact with the public, even while the pandemic continues to spread.
