Dear Friend,
Essential workers are heroes. They risked their lives throughout the pandemic to keep the rest of us safe and they deserve far more than empty praise. That is why we are supporting the Heroes Pay Act of 2021 which would provide a Hero Pay payment to many District essential workers. However we still need to secure an additional $15 million in funding to ensure that a large amount of essential workers can receive Hero Pay.

Please take a moment to call the DC Council and ask for them to support and fully fund Hero Pay for DC essential workers!

The Heroes Pay Act of 2021 provides $500 to many front line workers who worked throughout the height of the pandemic. The program is managed through a grant to employers who must pass it on to eligible essential workers. There are tens of thousands of workers who kept DC running throughout the pandemic, at great personal cost. Many paid for ridesharing while public transit was limited, had childcare costs when schools closed, and invested in PPE and other safety measures for themselves and their families.

DC should care for our neighbors who cared for us. The current budget of $5 million does not reach enough of our heroes. We need $15 million more to truly show up for essential workers. Hero Pay is long overdue, please call the Council now and ask them to support and fully fund the Heroes Pay Act.

In solidarity,
Nikko Bilitza
Worker Rights Policy Advocate
DC Jobs with Justice
Pronouns: he/him/his