OLYMPIA, Wash. – Some Washington state employees could be getting bonuses just for staying up to date with their shots.
According to The Seattle Times, state employees would get $1,000 bonuses for receiving a COVID-19 booster shot under a tentative deal.
The agreement between the state and the Washington Federation of State Employees also includes 4% pay raises in 2023, 3% pay raises in 2024 and a $1,000 retention bonus.
Most employees were required to have their initial series of vaccination by October of last year or be fired.
New state employees have had to be vaccinated before their official start date.
President Biden told CBS 60 Minutes last Sunday, September 18th, that the pandemic is essentially over.
Dr. Umair Shah told a news conference Thursday, September 22nd, that about 7% of our state’s hospital beds are still occupied by patients with COVID-19.
Governor Inslee had previously announced that emergency measures and mandates related to the pandemic will end on October 31st.
But masks are still required in health care and correctional facilities.