WHEREAS, The devastating economic fallout from the novel coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented, with unemployment rates surpassing those of the Great Recession in just a few months following the outbreak of the virus; and
WHEREAS, The national unemployment rate remains high at 8.4 percent and latest reports show the Pennsylvania unemployment rate to be a staggering 13.7 percent; and
WHERES, Over two million Pennsylvanians have applied for unemployment compensation since Governor Tom Wolf’s economic shutdown on March 23, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of Pennsylvanians who were approved for the unemployment benefit have reportedly failed to receive their entitled compensation; and
WHEREAS, The Reading Eagle reported in July that some 225,000 workers were waiting to hear back from the Department of Labor and Industry regarding their benefits; and
WHEREAS, Busy phone lines and unresponsive online tools leave claimants frustrated and unable reach a representative; and
WHEREAS, Government must be held accountable to the needs of the people, particularly during times of crisis; and
WHEREAS, While the coronavirus pandemic impacted all sectors and workplaces, including government agencies and public employees, the Commonwealth
must rise to the occasion and make necessary adjustments to ensure that
Pennsylvania residents receive entitled benefits without delay during this economic crisis; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry must adjust their staffing, speed the claims process, and become more responsive to those inquiring about the status of their claims; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUCNIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADEPLHIA, That it hereby calls on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to resolve ongoing complications within the State’s unemployment system to ensure all eligible Pennsylvanians receive their entitled compensation in a timely manner
End