The vomit clause: should ferry workers get double pay for cleaning up barf?

Amy has written before about a student barfing in class, and the policy at Kansas State University is students and faculty are advised to notify the custodial department immediately and to avoid coming into contact with vomit.

Should custodial staff get double pay for cleaning up vomit?

According to KOMO News in Seattle, ferry workers get double pay for cleaning up messy situations in what some call, "the vomit clause."

State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island says the clause makes her want to barf (not really).

But Haugen did tell the Everett Daily Herald other state workers aren’t paid extra for such work, adding, "That’s one that really stuck in my craw. We certainly don’t give overtime to some prison guard who cleans up after an inmate or even someone who worked caring for a person in their home and had to do an unpleasant task."

Who says ‘craw.’

The ferry workers’ union say the clause actually covers broader clean up of hazardous materials and sewage systems, and workers rarely get paid more for vomit situations.

Terri Mast of Inland Boatmen’s Union said, "It could be vomit. It could be blood. It could be feces.”
 

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About Douglas Powell

A former professor of food safety and the publisher of barfblog.com, Powell is passionate about food, has five daughters, and is an OK goaltender in pickup hockey. Download Doug’s CV here. Dr. Douglas Powell editor, barfblog.com retired professor, food safety 3/289 Annerley Rd Annerley, Queensland 4103 dpowell29@gmail.com 61478222221 I am based in Brisbane, Australia, 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time