Stimulus Funds For Essential Workers
The Issue
During the 2019-20 pandemic, many American workers were financially harmed by the virus and economic conditions in the country. Some workers were given supplimental help to ease the pressures caused by the pandemic, however others who were labeled "essential workers" were forced to continue work, often against their will, in order to keep the country functioning.
While some essential workers (doctors, nurses, emergency services) were given praise by the media and politicians, rightfully so, the vast majority of American workers got nothing more than a nod for the service they provided. These are factory workers (temporary, full-time, unionized, and non-unionized), retail employees, fast food service workers, and everyone in between labeled essential for work, but not essential for hazard pay, a raise, or other forms of compensation.
These "essential" workers got no time at home with their families, often put the loved ones at home in harm's way by being forced to work, received no government assistance (especially when most would have made MORE money filing unemployment due to Federal Government assistance), and their jobs were made more difficult given the fact that they were required to do perform the same function with less assistance from co-workers who were temporarily laid off.
It was essential to keep the economy going during the pandemic because the economy has been the lifeblood of our nation. It is time to reward the folks who put themselves at risk for the greater good and give them compensation for the work that they did. People who are not rewarded for going the extra mile tend not to be so enthusiastic about it the next time, or the time after that. We need to remember this as the second wave approaches. It is time to compensate the essential workers for the service they provided. $5,000 is a modest sum for those who went into work day after day and kept the economy going. We hope that this petition will reach the halls of Congress and the hearts of our leadership, from the Representatives all the way up to the President. Help the workers who fought to keep this country going; don't hang them out to dry.
The Issue
During the 2019-20 pandemic, many American workers were financially harmed by the virus and economic conditions in the country. Some workers were given supplimental help to ease the pressures caused by the pandemic, however others who were labeled "essential workers" were forced to continue work, often against their will, in order to keep the country functioning.
While some essential workers (doctors, nurses, emergency services) were given praise by the media and politicians, rightfully so, the vast majority of American workers got nothing more than a nod for the service they provided. These are factory workers (temporary, full-time, unionized, and non-unionized), retail employees, fast food service workers, and everyone in between labeled essential for work, but not essential for hazard pay, a raise, or other forms of compensation.
These "essential" workers got no time at home with their families, often put the loved ones at home in harm's way by being forced to work, received no government assistance (especially when most would have made MORE money filing unemployment due to Federal Government assistance), and their jobs were made more difficult given the fact that they were required to do perform the same function with less assistance from co-workers who were temporarily laid off.
It was essential to keep the economy going during the pandemic because the economy has been the lifeblood of our nation. It is time to reward the folks who put themselves at risk for the greater good and give them compensation for the work that they did. People who are not rewarded for going the extra mile tend not to be so enthusiastic about it the next time, or the time after that. We need to remember this as the second wave approaches. It is time to compensate the essential workers for the service they provided. $5,000 is a modest sum for those who went into work day after day and kept the economy going. We hope that this petition will reach the halls of Congress and the hearts of our leadership, from the Representatives all the way up to the President. Help the workers who fought to keep this country going; don't hang them out to dry.
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Petition created on November 9, 2020