Thread by @RGC_BPPA

OK...it's been a good while since I've done a good tweetstorm, but since it now appears that the #HEROESAct will soon be passed as the second stimulus package, it's time to talk about the #HazardPay section and how it may affect those of us #EssentialWorkers.

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As far as publicity is concerned, #HazardPay has been the stepsister in the basement, at least compared to the rollicking debates over the stim checks and the $600/week fed UI extension.

But, it actually may be the most impacting for #essentialworkers down the line.

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Until recently, it seems that not even the parties in DC now negotiating and fighting over the details of the stim package have given #HazardPay its due analysis. Nor has the media.

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As of this weekend, however, as the stim package is getting slowly finalized, people are beginning to speak out on the need for #HazardPay to accompany full UI benefits and the stim check(s).

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The main push is from #essentialworkers and those unions representing them, who cite the basic fact that it's kind of hypocritical to drop $600/week payments on the unemployed/furloughed/laid off workers for not being able to work, while they get little or nothing...

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...extra while working through a very live and very deadly pandemic.

While some of that could be simple resentment towards not getting as much as the unemployed, the core argument makes absolute perfect sense.

#HazardPay #EssentialWorkers

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The #HEROESAct's section on #HazardPay calls for a premium of $13/hour to be attached to an #essentialworker's wage earnings, up to a cap of $10,000 (if his/her annual income is at or below $200,000) or $5,000 (if above that amount).

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The premium would cover all hours worked (both regular and overtime) in a verified essential workplace going back to January 27 (the day that the federal COVID-19 emergency was declared).

The bill also defines who is an "essential worker" that would qualify for #HazardPay.

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The equation that an #essentialworker would use to determine his #HazardPay premium is basic:

Number of hours worked from 2020/01/27 to today * $13, then compared to the cap number that qualifies to him/her ($10K up to $200K annual income, $5K beyond that).

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Based on that equation, an #essentialworker would have to work a total of 770 hours in order to reach the $10K cap (770 * $13 = $10,010); or 385 hours to reach the smaller $5K cap (half of $10,010 is $5,005).

#HazardPay

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If you have already worked enough hours to reach the cap limit; then you would get a lump sum payment of the cap limit (either $10K or $5K).

If you did not, OTOH, you would receive a lump sum crediting the hours you did work (at $13/hr)...

#HazardPay #EssentialWorkers

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...and then you would get the remainder of your #HazardPay allotment in the form of a supplemental premium of $13 for every hour you currently work that would be attached to your paycheck. The premium supplement would last until you reach the cap limit.

#EssentialWorkers

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To use an example:

If you make under $200K a year, and had worked 800 hours as an #EssentialWorker, then you would receive a $10K lump sum payment.

If same scenario except you made over $200K, then you would get a $5K check/deposit.

#HazardPay #HEROESAct

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If you only worked 400 hours retroactively, OTOH, the following applies:

If annual wage <= $200K: $5,200 lump sum (400 * $13/hr); then remaining $4,800 sent to you as supplement of $13/hr each pay period, until tapped out.

#HazardPay #EssentialWorkers

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If your annual wage for that scenario in 14/ is > $200K, then you would only get the $5K lump sum, since you would have passed your applicable cap.

#HazardPay #EssentialWorkers

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If you worked only 300 hours prior to right now, then you'd get a $3,900 (300 * $13) lump sum, and the remaining balance then sent to you through $13/hr supplements to your existing paycheck, until you hit whatever cap applies to you.

#HazardPay #EssentialWorkers

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And, I should note, this is totally separate from and *in addition to* the $1,200 per person stimulus payment. You do NOT lose that other payment if you get to receive #HazardPay.

#EssentialWorkers #HEROESAct

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I guess that this would be a good time to do a disclaimer: My current job, if it is rightfully placed on the #EssentialWorkers list, would qualify me for the full $10K lump sum check, since I have worked well over the 770 hour limit to reach the $10K cap.

#HazardPay

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There are some legit concerns about how the #HazardPay section of the #HEROESAct is written.

The folks at @LALATE have been following the entire stim debate, and have posted numerous vids on @YouTube on the flaws.

An example:



#EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube [And yes, this is a recomendation from me for you to go ahead and follow @LALATE and sub to their YT channel. It's that good.]

#ShamlessPlug

youtube.com/channel/UCKovr…

@LALATE @YouTube First weakness of the #HEROESAct #HazardPay proposal: it puts the emphasis on employers to apply & qualify for the premium funds, but doesn't mandate that they do.

If the company decides not to apply, the workers are screwed. And not in the sexy way.

#EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube While inertia, pressure from workers, & the bandwagon effect could ultimately encourage essential businesses to sign up to the #HazardPay program, there's still a non-zero chance that a business could decide for their own reasons not to apply.

#EssentialWorkers #HEROESAct

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@LALATE @YouTube One reason businesses may choose not to apply: the costs of paperwork and tech in adjusting their pay systems to adapt the #HazardPay payments.

Currently, the #HEROESAct does not provide any compensation for business to import the system in.

#EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube This is particularly critical because the #HEROESAct contains provisions against a company skimming the premium payments to cover base wages/costs.

A biz can't use the premiums as a ruse to cut back workers' wages & pocket the difference.

#HazardPay #EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube You can see this coming from 50 miles away:

Big Biz CEO: "Why in thee Hell should I just funnel money from the government to my slaves....errrrrr, my workers....when I get no cut of it?"

#HazardPay #EssentialWorkers #HEROESAct

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@LALATE @YouTube By contrast, good old Mittenz Romney (remember him?? Ex #MASen? Got his ass beat by Barack Obama in the 2012 POTUS election? Now #UTSen) has introduced an alternative #HazardPay scheme called #PatriotPay. Unlike the #HEROESAct program...

#EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube ...Mittenz' proposal does include both a mandate for businesses to participate, and compensation for participation therein.

#HazardPay #EssentialWorkers #HEROESAct

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@LALATE @YouTube Unfortunately, Mittenz' proposal is also dead cheap for #EssentialWorkers.

As in, stingy cheap.

Only a $12/hour premium wage attached to current pay; NO retroactivity, and capped at nearly $9,000 (based on maximum of $12/week for 2 months).

#HazardPay #EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube Also, Mittenz' proposal would leave it to Congress to define what consists an #EssentialWorker and thusly would qualify for the premium pay....which would mean that some who are eligible under the #HEROESAct could be axed out under his proposal.

#HazardPay

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@LALATE @YouTube In this case, the second best solution would be to modify the #HEROESAct to add in the mechanisms of Mittenz' proposals for mandatory business participation and compensation thereof.

I said *second* best, because...

#HazardPay #EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube ...I believe a far better solution would be to take businesses completely out of the mechanism other than verification of employment & hours, and have the entire #HazardPay program run out of the Treasury Department, similar to the stim checks.

#HEROESAct #EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube The template I would use for workers to apply for #HazardPay funds would be Louisiana's #FrontlineWorkers program, where workers use the LA Dept of Revenue site page to apply for a $250 supplement, and verify through attaching pay stubs.

#EssentialWorkers #HEROESAct

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@LALATE @YouTube Basically, workers would use a Tsy page similar to the IRS's "Where's My Payment" page for the stim checks to apply for #HazardPay.

If they are approved & only receive lump sums, they could be sent immediately...

#EssentialWorkers #HEROESAct

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@LALATE @YouTube ...through the same methods that the stim payments were sent.

(Those like me who have their stim check money dropped into their work paycards would benefit immensely from this.)

#EssentialWorkers #HazardPay #HEROESAct

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@LALATE @YouTube Another kinda sorta flaw of the #HEROESAct #HazardPay proposal is one that @LALATE has been pushing hard in their videos: the lack of transparency as to which businesses fit the qualification of "essential".

#EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube The #HEROESAct proposal attaches to it a LONG list of occupations that would be considered to be "essential" enough for qualification for #HazardPay. The problem is not so much that, but the nature of the businesses' qualification.

#EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube An example:

"Grocery workers" are listed as an "essential" occupation.

That would imply that a standalone grocery store or grocery store chain would be considered "essential" and its workers eligible for applying for #HazardPay.

#EssentialWorkers #HEROESAct

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@LALATE @YouTube BUT....what about employees at bigbox retail firms like Walmart/Sam's Club, COSTCO, CVS, and others, that have grocery sections but are NOT just "groceries"? You'd think that their workers would qualify as #EssentialWorkers, but it's not made clear.

#HazardPay #HEROESAct

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@LALATE @YouTube Similarly...what about those who work in the pharmacy section of Walmart or CVS? Although they perform the same tasks as those working in standalone pharmacies, it's not clear in the current language of the #HEROESAct if they would qualify for #HazardPay.

#EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube The #HEROESAct language does include instructions for the Treasury to be as lenient as possible & deem as many workers as #EssentialWorkers as possible. That's positive, but as long as employers can refuse to participate, it doesn't solve the issue completely.

#HazardPay

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@LALATE @YouTube Thankfully, as many businesses that qualify their workers for #HazardPay do get on line, the resulting pressure would force the bigbox retailers to get in line, and everyone who could benefit would.

Still, some clarification here would be nice.

#HEROESAct #EssentialWorkers

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@LALATE @YouTube At any rate, let's put real pressure on Congress to finish this ASAP before they do their August/Labor Day recess.

Though, still fight for #2KAMonth and #M4A as well. Every bit helps.

#HazardPay #EssentialWorkers #HEROESAct

#PeoplesStimulus #TurtleMcConnellSUCKS #Out

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For the benefit of those still reading:

@threadreaderapp Unroll and compile, please.