Essential workers call $250 million in 'hero pay' a good first step

Jun. 23—Organizations that represent frontline workers say an announcement Monday by state lawmakers that $250 million in "hero pay" will be included in the next state budget is a good first step toward compensating those who stepped up during the coronavirus pandemic.

The finer details — such as who will be eligible and for how much — are still being worked out, but state lawmakers say the money will be part of the $52 billion state budget the Legislature is racing to finish. If budget bills are not completed before July 1 the state government could shut down.

Inclusion of the $250 million in the state budget deal is a good first step towards better compensating essential workers for the sacrifices they made during the pandemic, said Mary C. Turner, president of the Minnesota Nurses Association.

"While this commitment represents a good start, nurses and essential workers expect legislators to recognize the sacrifices we've made to keep us all safe and the state running during this pandemic," Turner said in a statement. "Because let's be clear, bonuses are for bankers. For workers, this is backpay. This is making up for what we lost in pay and benefits while sitting in quarantine or waiting for tests."

Long-term care workers will also be eligible for additional compensation.

In a statement, Long-Term Care Imperative, a collaboration of LeadingAge Minnesota and Care Providers of Minnesota, agreed that the funding was a good start for a sector that was hard hit by the coronavirus.

"Our fight against COVID-19 has been unbelievably difficult, but we are proud to say we are winning our battle," a statement from the coalition said. "However, the pandemic has exacerbated our workforce challenges. Minnesota must make a serious long-term commitment to grow the ranks of our senior caregivers by partnering with providers to fully fund programs to recruit, train and retain quality caregivers."

Advocates for essential workers say they will continue to push for new protections and to ensure those hardest hit by the pandemic are fairly compensated.

DAILY DATA REPORT

Minnesota recorded five more COVID-19 fatalities Wednesday and 84 new cases were reported by the state Department of Health.

Deaths have averaged about five or six per day for the last week. There have been 7,555 COVID-19 fatalities since the pandemic began with 4,466 in long-term care.

The latest fatalities reported ranged in age from their 50s to their 90s with three living in private homes and two in long-term care.

The 84 new infections bring the case total to 604,758 since March 2020. Of those who tested positive, 596,305 have recovered enough they no longer need to be isolated.

There are 113 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 including 31 in critical condition.

Minnesota has administered 5.6 million doses of vaccine and 3 million residents have received at least one dose.