Hazard-pay letter for maintenance staff tabled after debate on what counts as "biohazardous"

County staff presented a draft letter of agreement to grant maintenance employees $10 per hour extra for responding to cleanups involving hazardous materials, paid in two-hour increments and retroactive to Dec. 1 for a recent exposure incident.

The presenter described the language as similar to a prior letter in effect in February 2020 and said the intent is to have maintenance staff stabilize a scene until specialized contractors arrive.

Committee members asked whether the pay applies only for active cleanup work or for the entire time on site; staff said it would cover time spent performing the response. Members also requested a definition of "biohazardous materials," raising examples including sewage, blood, vomit and asbestos concerns. The presenter said he could add clarifying language such as "internal biological materials" and check existing property/training materials to ensure consistency.

After discussion about scope and how the union might view any expansion of covered materials, the committee tabled the hazard-pay letter until next month to allow staff to add clearer definitions and review training materials.

Next steps: staff will revise the draft to define covered materials, confirm training and safety protocols, and return the letter for committee consideration.