Personal Protective Equipment & Temporary Hazard Pay
March/April 2020 Malama Pono Newsletter
Our members are doing their part to make our community safe during this coronavirus pandemic. However, the Employers also have a responsibility to provide our members with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and compensation of temporary hazard pay (THP).
In performing essential work functions, our members are on the front lines providing core services to keep our government operational and our communities safe. Many of our members do not have the option of working from home.
First, PPE is of vital importance to our members’ health and safety The virus is rapidly spreading in our state and nation, causing serious illness and deaths, and PPE will reduce our members’ exposure to COVID-19. On a continuous basis, the Union is seeking PPE, (facemasks, gloves, protective clothing, etc.), as well as proper education and training on the use of the PPE.
While PPE are in limited supply and may not have been provided to you, the Union and you have the right to demand the opportunity to frequently wash hands and/or be provided hand sanitizers, to require that arrangements be made to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from co-workers, and to have your work objects & surfaces disinfected frequently.
Second, the Union has requested THP in accordance with Section 30 of the contract. THP is not a cure all, but serves as recognition through compensation for the unusually hazardous working conditions that our members who are reporting to work are being exposed to during the coronavirus pandemic.
The U.S. Department of Labor defined hazardous pay as follows: “Hazard pay means additional pay for performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship. Work duty that causes extreme physical discomfort and distress which is not adequately alleviated by protective devices is deemed to impose a physical hardship.”
Governor David Ige, with the support of county mayors, issued an emergency order requiring everyone, except for workers performing essential functions, to shelter in place to fight the spread of COVID-1 9. The statewide stay-at-home/shelter-inplace order is an acknowledgement of the public health emergency and increased potential for exposure with this rapidly spreading COVID-19.
Letters demanding PPE and THP have been sent to the State of Hawaii, DOE, UH, Judiciary, HHSC, County of Maui, County of Hawaii, County of Kauai, City & County of Honolulu and Private Sector Employers.