Overview
- Reports cite about 1,800 people registered for temporary snow work this season and roughly 550 deployed at peak after the Jan. 25–26 storm, according to an unnamed City Hall source quoted by the New York Post.
- Republican council members Joann Ariola and David Carr faulted City Hall for late outreach, saying the city should have aggressively advertised snow‑laborer jobs before the storm.
- Critics point to slower clearing of bus stops, crosswalks, hydrants, and corners nearly two weeks after the snowfall, with residents also seeing multi‑day trash pickup delays.
- The Sanitation Department says direct comparisons to 2015–16 are misleading, noting round‑the‑clock shifts, expanded full‑time staffing, and specialized equipment used this season.
- Historical figures show 6,454 shovelers recruited in 2015–16 with up to 3,500 working at once during heavier snowfall, while city recruitment for the $19.14‑per‑hour roles remains open online for eligible applicants.