Dear Friend,

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the families of the Western New York region in an unprecedented manner, leading to significant financial distress. Listed below are job opportunities, labor, and benefits information available to you at this time.

Resources for Job Applicants:

• Amazon Hiring 100,000+ Nationwide for Distribution. Amazon plans to hire over 100,000 nationwide to help them with distribution of packages for an expected rise in online ordering. To apply, please visit www.amazon.jobs.
• Target Hiring. Target plans to hire hundreds of new employees in most of its stores. To apply, please visit https://jobs.target.com/.
• Tops Markets Hiring: Tops plans to immediately hire new employees for their supermarkets in WNY, as well as their warehouse in Lancaster. To apply, please visit http://www.topsmarkets.com/Jobs
• Walmart Plans to Hire 150,000+ Workers: Walmart plans to hire an additional 150,000 workers nationwide. For example, Walmart in Niagara Falls is expediting its hiring process so that job applicants can go to work the same day they apply. To apply, visit https://storejobs.wal-mart.com/HiringCenter/.
• Sahlen’s Packing Company: Sahlen’s has announced that it is hiring for all positions at its Howard Street food processing location in Buffalo. To apply, visit https://sahlen.com/careers/
• Wegmans Hiring: Wegmans plans to hire new employees in many of their locations around WNY. To apply for your local store, visit https://jobs.wegmans.com/search-jobs

Resources for Employers:

• Essential Businesses: 100% of non-essential workforces must stay at home beginning Monday, March 23. What is classified as an essential service in NYS? Click here. Note: If you believe that your business is an essential service but is not included in that list, you can apply with New York Empire State Development to have it listed as an essential service here: https://esd.ny.gov/content/request-designation-essential-business-purposes-executive-order-2026
• Please see the following link for more resources and information from Empire State Development: https://esd.ny.gov/

Labor and Benefit Information

• NYS Department of Labor: The NYSDOL has waived the 7-day unemployment insurance (UI) waiting period to apply and has extended service hours and guidelines for when you should call or go online to apply - more information is available here. Please note they are experiencing heavier than usual customer traffic. https://www.labor.ny.gov/home/    
• Paid Sick Leave for Workers in Mandatory/Precautionary Quarantine: The state legislature authorized an emergency 2-week paid sick leave program for all workers impacted by precautionary or mandatory COVID-19 quarantine, with more information on how to apply and who qualifies at https://www.labor.ny.gov/home/.

 Volunteer Opportunities

• New York State - How You Can Help: New York State is looking for both mental health and public health professionals to volunteer at medical facilities throughout the state or remotely to help manage the COVID-19 outbreak. Interested individuals can find more information here and apply at this link: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/get-involved-how-you-can-help 
• If you are healthy and willing, volunteer with the Niagara County Medical Reserve Corps. MRC members help dispense medication and perform other valuable tasks during medical emergencies. Sign up here: https://apps.health.ny.gov/pub/servny/

Your Senator,

Robert G. Ortt

62nd Senate District

REMEMBER: Please stay at home, avoid public gatherings, and practice social distancing of at least a 6-foot radius to help #FlattenTheCurve. Should you have any questions during this time, please do not hesitate to utilize my office as a resource at (716) 434-0680 or ortt@nysenate.gov.