NY nonprofits join Cuomo's call for federal hazard pay for essential public workers

Press release: Already underpaid, these frontline workers deserve support to keep themselves and their families safe

See the list of coalitions & organizations below

Twenty-two coalitions and organizations representing thousands of nonprofit organizations across New York are joining Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s call this week for the federal government to provide hazard pay for essential public workers on the front lines.

The proposed 50% bonus would provide critical support for a workforce that is, according to the 22, underpaid and disproportionately women of color. The organizations are committed to working with the governor’s office to ensure these workers have all the support they need.

The nonprofit human services workforce includes over 400,000 people across New York, many of whom have been designated essential workers by the governor’s “New York State on PAUSE” order and by state agencies.

A press release explained, “They are going to work every day and providing lifesaving services in their communities, staffing group homes for youth and homeless shelters, delivering meals to homebound seniors and families, providing critical services to formerly homeless persons and families with disabilities, and offering care for survivors of domestic violence. This work cannot be done remotely and becomes increasingly urgent as COVID-19 jeopardizes the health and economic stability of a growing number of New Yorkers.

“As these hundreds of thousands of workers carry out essential functions, many lack the protections to guarantee their and their families’ safety. Nonprofits and workers are struggling to obtain necessary protective equipment, putting them and their families at risk every day. And this workforce is disproportionately women (80%), people of color (over half), and underpaid. The majority (60%) of human service workers qualify for public assistance, with an average salary of $27,830.

List of supporting coalitions and organizations:

• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York
• Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State
• The Coalition for Behavioral Health
• Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies
• Chinese-American Planning Council
• Fiscal Policy Institute
• FPWA
• Homeless Services United
• Human Services Council
• InterAgency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies Inc.
• LiveOn New York
• Mental Health Association in New York State Inc. (MHANYS)
• New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services Inc.
• New York Disability Advocates
• Northern Rivers
• New York State Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
• New York State Care Management Coalition
• New York State Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors Inc.
• New York State Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
• UJA-Federation of New York
• United Neighborhood Houses
• Supportive Housing Network of New York