Portland businesses and employees are alerted that hazard pay is in effect during the current State of Emergency declared by Governor Mills in advance of Hurricane Lee’s impending landfill according to a press release issued by the city this morning.  The Governor’s Proclamation of Emergency went into effect on the afternoon of Thursday, September 14 and will be in effect until the “damage has passed or the emergency conditions no longer exist.”

The Governor’s Proclamation of Emergency states that Hurricane Lee likely will cause “sustained high winds, pouding surf, and heavy rains” that could result in dangerous conditons that pose “an imminent threat to public safety as well as damage to public and private property.”  The Proclaatio authorizes the Maaine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to activate and deploy the resources necesary to respond to the emergency.”

Because the Governor’s State of Emergency was declared under 37-BM.R.S Section 742, the city’s hazard pay provision in the minimum wage ordinance is now in effect.  Section 33.7 of the city code states that miimum wage, which is currently ($14/hour) will be l.5 times that rate ($21/hour) during states of emergency.  The emergency minimum wage for tipped workers is $10.50 hour (plus tips).  The emergency rate does not apply to employees working under a teleworking arrangement.