New York City on Saturday put out a call for emergency snow shovelers ahead of a powerful nor’easter bomb cyclone, requiring workers to submit multiple forms of identification — contrasting the city’s election policy for most voters.
For the first time in nearly a decade, a blizzard warning was issued for New York City, with expected snowfall totaling 19 to 24 inches and wind gusts up to 55 mph.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for New York City, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced outreach teams have been mobilized.
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced Saturday it is recruiting temporary, per diem shovelers to remove snow and ice from public areas, including bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and step streets.
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While pay is generous, starting at $19.14 per hour and increasing to $28.71 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week, workers must meet a number of requirements to be eligible.
Shovelers must be at least 18 years old, able to perform heavy physical labor and eligible to work in the U.S., according to the department.
They must also bring two small 1.5-inch square photos, two original forms of ID and copies, along with a Social Security card for registration, officials said.
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Joshua Goodman, DSNY deputy commissioner of public affairs, told Fox News Digital the emergency snow shoveler program is a “long-standing” initiative that gives New Yorkers the opportunity to earn money clearing critical infrastructure when major winter storms hit the city.
“Every year, hundreds of workers step up to keep their communities safe and moving,” Goodman wrote in a statement. “As with any employer, the City of New York has a legal obligation under federal law to verify work authorization and maintain proper documentation before issuing payment. We are not legally permitted to hand out checks without completing that process.”
“Ensuring compliance with employment law isn’t red tape for its own sake — it’s what allows the program to operate responsibly and sustainably, helping keep our city running through the toughest winter days,” he continued.
Unlike the strict legal emergency worker guidelines, the New York City Board of Elections does not require most registered voters to bring an ID.
First-time voters are only required to bring one of three documents including: driver’s license number, non-driver ID number or the last four digits of a Social Security number.
Those who did not provide ID when registering to vote are also able to vote by affidavit ballot.
FOX Weather’s Hayley Vawter, Kieran Sullivan and Kevin Fitzgerald contributed to this report.
