County employees raise unpaid retention bonuses and seek an employee assistance program

Several county employees and union representatives used the public comment period to press the board on workplace and pay issues, asking for a county‑level employee assistance program and action on unpaid COVID‑19 retention bonuses.

Sabora t Alexander, who identified herself as a Hudson County Family Services Reintegration and Hudson County Corrections employee and a union local president, said an employee assistance program remains needed to help staff who took pension loans and are now facing housing and urgent financial issues. "So once we launch the program, could those funds possibly be considered to assist us in meeting our needs? Because we need to survive," Alexander said, and pledged to submit a formal proposal to the board.

Kaye Daley, who spoke for members of Local 2306, said hundreds of workers were not awarded the COVID‑19 retention bonus and urged the commission to help resolve outstanding payments. Daley also raised questions about how pay and time are classified when a state of emergency is declared and some jurisdictions close while the county remains open.

County officials clarified the county’s procedure for emergency closings and pay. An official explained that a governor’s declaration of a state of emergency "doesn't always impact our county" and that the county executive decides whether county offices close; the official said when the county declares a closing, "they are paid for the day" (excused leave) and county employees are not docked.

Commissioners acknowledged the union concerns and asked staff to follow up so that outstanding bonus payments and an employee assistance program proposal could be reviewed. No formal policy or funding commitment was made at the meeting.