Birmingham mayor wants city employees to get bonuses for working during pandemic

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin (D) announced on Friday that he would recommend all full-time city employees receive a bonus for working through the pandemic.

“No matter the challenge, your continued service and commitment to the City of Birmingham has never wavered,” Woodfin, 40, said in a message sent out to employees that was obtained by AL.com. “You worked through unforeseen obstacles, constantly adjusted and adapted, and maintained the high level of service that our community expects. For that, I speak for our community when I say we’re grateful.”

“I’m very happy to announce that as part of the Magic City Recovery Plan, which is funded through the Biden Administration’s American Rescue Plan of 2021, we will recommend full time employees with the City of Birmingham receive a one-time premium payment of $5,000 for their continued service during this pandemic. Part time employees with the City of Birmingham will receive a one-time premium payment of $2,500 for their continued service during this pandemic,” Woodfin added.

The news outlet notes that Woodfin also recently released the proposed budget for 2022 in which he recommended that employees receive a pay increase.

“While we have proposed an operating budget that provides a cost-of-living raise, merit and longevity pay and a fully funded pension, we want to do more,” Woodfin said, according to AL.com.

The recommendation for a bonus will be presented to the Birmingham City Council and the Jefferson County Personnel Board on June 30.

“The premium pay is taxable income; however, no pension contributions will be deducted from this pay,” Woodfin explained, adding that the city would also be offering to buy out vacation days, in which the city would buy out excess vacation hours from employees with who were unable to take vacations in 2020.