house resolution no.291
Reps. Brenda Carter, Sabo, Weiss, Rabhi, Stone, Hope, Garza, Sowerby, Breen, Haadsma, Scott, Anthony and Tyrone Carter offered the following resolution:
Whereas, The COVID-19 Pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on state employees. Difficulties with retention and struggles to fill vacant positions have forced civil servants to take on expanded roles and responsibilities. Across state government, the number of full-time employee equivalents has declined significantly over the last two-plus years; and
Whereas, Through this turbulence, state employees have shown incredible resilience and dedication to serving Michigan taxpayers. State employees have had to demonstrate immense flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing policies and demands. Many state employees put their own health at risk to provide the public with critical support and life-saving services throughout this unprecedented crisis; and
Whereas, One group of workers who faced, and continue to face, increased risk of COVID-19 infection are Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) microbiologists and laboratory scientists. In addition to their normal workload, these employees are responsible for the bulk of the COVID-19 tests, often working 12 to 15 hours a day, 7 days per week, to handle this immense responsibility. These unsung heroes in the fight against this virus, like Michigan’s nurses and doctors, face a heightened risk of infection, along with bringing the virus home to their families, and yet they have been forgotten by the state concerning hazard pay and other accolades; and
Whereas, Technical Unit Workers within the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) put themselves and their families in harm’s way to ensure continuity and reliability in maintaining and repairing our bridges and roads. These essential workers and unsung heroes continue to do critical work despite difficulties and issues that existed in the early stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic, such as a lack of proper PPE and an inability to access rest areas and restaurants as many were closed to ensure the safety of Michiganders and stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus; and
Whereas, Countless state employees, including forensic scientists, conservation officers, food inspectors, transportation engineers, drafting techs, geologists, pharmacy assistants, migrant service workers, dental hygienists, aircraft pilots, unemployment insurance examiners, Native American outreach workers, environmental quality analysts, fisheries biologists, and hundreds of other classifications, did everything asked of them to keep Michigan moving forward. All indispensable to the state's effort, they put our state and the services it provides to Michigan residents before their personal health and safety; and
Whereas, As Michigan's elected leaders, it is our responsibility to properly compensate state employees for their sacrifices and dedication during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Not only is this hazard pay warranted for their work over the last two years but it will also improve our ability to attract and retain employees moving forward; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Michigan Legislature to provide all state employees $2,000 in Public Employee Recognition Pay; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Michigan House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate, and the Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate.