The state Department of Education is offering employees the same temporary hazard pay settlement offered by the governor to other state employees — compensation split into two tiers ($10,000 and $20,000) based on the number of days worked physically at their worksite. First payment would be in October/November of 2024 and the second payment would be in the spring of 2025. This would affect employees organized into Units 2, 3, 4, 9 and 13.
Acceptance of this settlement would be in lieu of the award recently won in arbitration by HGEA on behalf of DOE employees. Compensation under this award would be calculated using the salary amount at the minimum step of the employee’s salary range at the time of hazard exposure and would be paid based on the exposure level (15% or 25%). For a more detailed explanation, see our FAQs under the question, “How would this settlement compare to what we’re entitled to in our contract?”
In the event that members reject this settlement offer, HGEA would ask DOE to proceed with making THP award determinations based on the arbitration decision we’ve already obtained.
According to the settlement offer on the table, the THP payout that members receive will be based on the days affected employees worked at their physical worksite during the period of March 4, 2020 to March 25, 2022. Here’s the breakdown:
- 12-month employees who physically reported to work for 420 days or more during the emergency proclamation would be entitled to $20,000.
- 10-month employees who physically reported to work for 350 days or more during the emergency proclamation would be entitled to $20,000.
- Those who physically reported to work less than the applicable hours listed above would be entitled to $10,000.
- Those who did not physically report to work at all during the emergency proclamation would not be entitled to compensation.
HGEA is NOT making a recommendation on whether you should accept or reject this settlement offer.
