Meghan McCain calls for hazard pay for all essential workers

Meghan McCain spoke out on Tuesday’s episode of The View, calling for all essential workers to receive not only hazard pay but also a big raise during the coronavirus outbreak. “I think that anyone who is doing any kind of essential work for us right now should not only get hazard pay but should have their pay doubled,” she said. “These people are putting their lives on the line, putting their families at risk just for us to be able to get our groceries and needed packages.” McCain’s comments came after news that workers at Amazon and other companies are protesting over a lack of protection on the job against the virus. Should companies refuse to pay workers more, McCain says the money will have to come from somewhere else. “I think it is up to the government,” she said. “If we have to do another stimulus and aid package for essential workers that’s what we have to do at this time,” she added.

Video Transcript

- Get ready for "Daytime Now."

MEGHAN MCCAIN: I've been railing about this for weeks, that I think that anyone who is doing any kind of essential work for us right now should not only get hazard pay, but should have their pay doubled.

I think these people are putting their lives on the line, putting their families at risk, just for us to be able to get our groceries and needed packages and whatever else. And I think everyone from truck drivers to janitorial workers to anybody, anywhere who is out still working in this kind of environment should 100% be given hazard pay.

- Meghan McCain said today that those working to deliver our groceries and packages during the outbreak should not just get hazard pay, but have their wages doubled. McCain's comments came during a conversation about the recent news that workers at companies that deliver items like Amazon, Whole Foods, and Instacart are staging walkouts over what they say are unsafe conditions.

Viewers took to Twitter to express their thoughts on McCain's call for hazard pay and some said they agree.

"I agree with you. Give hazard pay to people who are working in the field under these scary conditions. Don't forget to include FIELD news reporters who are on the streets getting footage for the news stations and being offered no protection by their stations," said one.

And, "I am an RN, at high risk for contracting COVID-19, but grocery store employees, delivery drivers, anyone working with the public are also front line. Front line without the training that nurses and docs have to know how to prevent this. They deserve hazard pay."

And, "I agree. Folks working-- grocery stores, janitorial workers, truck drivers, et cetera-- during this crisis should receive hazard pay."

But not everyone feels the same way as McCain.

While workers on the front line should get hazard pay, they should not get double pay because the companies allowed to open only do so out of necessity and are struggling themselves. Workers should be happy they're working and getting a salary," said one.

And, "First responders aren't even getting hazard pay. They are underpaid to begin with. I think it needs to start there and then take into account the delivery drivers, grocery workers, et cetera."

And, "Give hazard pay to the healthcare workers and first responders FIRST and then give it to the other essential workers."

With more people staging walkouts, we'll soon find out if McCain's calls for hazard pay will pay off for workers across the country.