$500,000 in hazard pay approved for city employees, Public Works moves to four-day workweek
In order to address the growing challenges to serve residents and protect employees during the COVID-19 crisis, The Birmingham City Council has approved Mayor Randall L. Woodfin’s request to implement $500,000 in hazard pay for one month. Also, Department of Public Works employees will shift to a four day, 10 hour workweek.
There are 1,976 city employees eligible for hazard pay, including:
- Finance – 29
- Fire – 606
- Mayor’s Office – 10 (City Hall security based on first floor)
- Municipal Court – 90
- Planning Engineering and Permits – 100
- Police & Corrections – 922
- Public Works – 219
Employees will receive a 5 percent increase to their base salary for hours worked. For example, if an employee’s paycheck is $1,000, 5 percent would be $50, thus the total check would rise to $1,050.
Beginning next week, Department of Public Works will move toward four day, 10 hour work weeks, which allows them to put in full days while also limiting the potential risk of exposure.
“Our Department of Public Works faces additional challenges due to the stay at home ordinance on a local and state level,” Mayor Randall L. Woodfin said. “We are now seeing a 25 percent increase in household garbage due to the increase number of people staying home. That has resulted in longer hours for our refuse crews.”
Due to increased demands, the city will also temporarily suspend recycling pickup citywide. However, the two routes that make up the City Haul Pilot Project will continue uninterrupted.
Grass cutting will not be disrupted during the spring season, but the priority will remain on residential lots.
Animal control services have already adjusted calls based on a change in services from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, which only accepts priority one calls at this time.
That includes bite complaints, aggressive dogs, neglect and cruelty calls, injured or sick strays or calls requiring law enforcement assistance.
“Please remember our DPW employees are our family and friends, our neighbors and church members,” Mayor Woodfin said. “We are committed to support them and take steps to protect them during this pandemic.”
