Early Tuesday morning, when New Orleans police received reports of a multi-vehicle pileup on Interstate 10 near Irish Bayou, they were expecting twisted metal and carnage.
We’ve heard a lot about living wages during the pandemic. We’ve seen essential workers demanding pay to make ends meet. Erika Zucker said the bulk of the jobs in New Orleans don’t let them meet that threshold. She said $15 per hour doesn’t provide much financial latitude.
“It’s still paycheck-to-paycheck living. It just means that from paycheck to paycheck, you’re not falling behind,” Zucker said.
Zucker is with the Workplace Justice Project at the Loyola Law Clinic. She said the City Council’s living wage ordinance is monumental because it shows lobbying by workers is effective and city government is willing to hear them out. That said, the $15 per hour rate would take effect in 2023. Zucker said workers with children need help now.
Furloughs and fire house closures impacting NOFD firefighters
Firefighter Furloughs Impact On New Orleans By Olivia Vidal | December 15, 2020 at 9:39 PM CST - Updated December 16 at 6:23 AM
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) -At least two house fires in the last month have some New Orleans firefighters concerned for public safety. As furloughs continue and fire houses close, it is impacting first responders.
According to the New Orleans Firefighters Association (NOFA), Ladder 7 off Carrollton Avenue has been closed for 11 days and it’s one of several fire houses across the city being renovated. Right now, Ladder 7 is being renovated.
It is not the only fire house that is not fully operating. Others have fewer staff right now because of furloughs due to the pandemic.