Originally posted - 01/22/2018
There is usually an outpouring of sympathy and assistance for those who are affected by severe hurricanes such as Hurricane Irma. However, concerns need to also be extended to the plight of part-time or hourly staff including those who work for Florida school districts since these workers are not paid when schools are closed due to severe hurricanes. Granted, these are the most vulnerable workers at the school districts which include janitors, clerks, substitute teachers, adult education teachers, and others who may live from pay check to pay check without any union representation. They are not as fortunate as superintendents, administrators, or other unionized staff who are confident that their hurricane absences will be paid no matter what. Jessica Bakeman, WLRN reporter, completed an investigative report on the unconscionable practice of not paying part-time workers at the three South Florida school districts when schools are closed before, during, and after severe hurricanes. It is only through this report that any public acknowledgement has been made by board members and superintendents as noted in the link below. This is the ugly side of people's inhumanity towards each other when such natural disaster occurs.
When-Hurricane-Closes-Schools-No-Work-Means-No-Pay-Thousands-Hourly-Workers
Update - 01/23/18
A day after Jessica Bakeman's report, the Miami Dade County Public Schools came up with a Superintendent Emergency Declaration Period where part-time workers will be allowed to work up to 40 hours during a specified two week time frame. What's the catch? WORK. So, while the Superintendent, administrators, full-time teachers and other staff never lifted a pin to get paid for hurricane day absences, part-timers must show production to get paid for an Act of God that forced the school to close through no fault of the part-time workers. So, the injustices for part-time workers continue ..................
