Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has written a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, asking that she allow members of Ellis Hospital’s Material Management Department to be included in the New York State Healthcare worker bonus.

Ellis Hospital’s Material Management Department is comprised of purchasing, supervisors, receivers, material and linen technicians, and couriers that support all aspects of the hospital. They deliver oxygen to units as well as carry out patient specimen transportation, and also supplied and stocked COVID floors during the pandemic.

This November, seventeen members of Ellis Hospital’s Material Management staff wrote to Assemblyman Santabarbara to ask for help to get these employees included among those receiving the bonus. According to the New York State Health Department’s website, eligible titles to receive the bonus include “Service Worker” and “Support Services Worker,” but these staff members were not classified in this category.

“The Material Management department is critical to the mission of Ellis Hospital to facilitate the care of patients, and these workers should be included in the healthcare worker bonus,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, who represents the City of Schenectady in the State Assembly. “I am urging the Governor to address this by including these employees, who worked hard throughout the pandemic, in the Healthcare Worker Bonus. Despite short staffing throughout the pandemic, these workers showed up and played a critical role in making sure patients got the care they deserved,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said.

Specifically, Assemblyman Santabarbara is asking Governor Hochul that these employees be classified as “service workers” which would make them eligible for the Healthcare Worker Bonus.