Its an emergency situation, we had the largest blizzard in 10+ years. I think paying a higher wage over a short term for exigent circumstances where you really want people to show up is reasonable. Its roughly equivalent to a mid-level salary for a garbage man (which is probably too low for garbage men, but at least they get insurance and other gov’t job perks.)

Also, they don’t get government job perks like health insurance or a pension.