Paid Sick Days Campaign

According to 9to5, there are almost 6 million workers in the State of California that do not have access to paid sick leave, which is to say they cannot take time off to attend to their own health or the health of their family members. This represents 40% of the work force in California.

This alarming situation is leading unions to organize.  This past April 2nd 9to5 held a regional leadership conference to address this issue, which concerns many of labor organizations.

(Read in original Spanish)

The members of 9to5 are raising awareness to build support for A.B. 400 sponsored by Fiona Ma, an  Assemblymember representing San Francisco.

This measure would allot each worker one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.  It also covers full time workers, part time workers and private and public sector workers.

The Issue

The majority of the workers that are affected by this are low wager workers, women who don’t have the option of staying home or finding childcare when they are sick.  76% of part time workers do not have any paid sick days.

Low wage workers are more likely to get sick and less and less likety to have paid scik leave.  Many of them lose their jobs when they get sick and many others go to work sick and others cannot go to work due to the seriousness of their illness.

This situation affects us all because sick workers can get their co-workers sick and because sick workers are more prone to work related accidents.

According to the members of 9to5, 85% of the workers in the restaurant industry, 73% of sanitation workers, 79% of construction workers and 54% of retail workers do not receive paid sick leave.