Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms ordered on Tuesday that city employees who are still required to report to work during the coronavirus pandemic will receive an extra $500 per month in hazard pay.
Bottoms’ administrative order applies to roughly 5,400 employees including police, firefighters and employees who perform critical tasks in the watershed department, at the airport, in solid waste, transportation, inspection and parks and recreation.
“As Atlanta families manage the COVID-19 crisis, there are City employees going out each and every day so that critical City services continue without disruption,” Bottoms said in a statement. “These men and women leave their homes to keep our streets safe, ensure our communities are maintained, keep our water clean and so much more. They are putting their lives on the line and we are grateful for their service.”
The extra $500 monthly payment falls far short of the premium hazard pay requested by Gina Pagnotta-Murphy, president of the Professional Association of City Employees of Atlanta, who asked that employees who can’t work from home be provided with double their normal pay rate.
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