Progress doesn’t happen in a moment, it happens in a movement – and the movement to safeguard public health and provide basic financial security for workers is picking up steam.
Across the country, grassroots organization, civic engagement, and a whole lot of elbow grease have been successful in securing paid sick leave for workers in Seattle(opens in new tab), San Francisco(opens in new tab), Washington D.C(opens in new tab)., and the state of Connecticut(opens in new tab). Now, it appears Florida’s Orange County – home to Orlando and Walt Disney World – may be next.
Orange County, FL
Recently, an Orange County coalition of small business owners, workers, parents, faith leaders, public health groups and elected officials turned in more than 73,000 signatures to qualify a paid sick days initiative for the November ballot(opens in new tab).
In Orange County, the initiative would allow workers in businesses with 15+ employees the right to earn job-protected paid sick leave. A full-time worker could accrue up to 56 hours of sick time per year. Workers in smaller businesses may take up to 56 hours of job-protected unpaid sick leave.
For a county that depends on over 50 million tourists(opens in new tab) a year, healthy – and not contagious – workers in the service industry is good for both workers and the bottom line.
New York City
Meanwhile, the campaign for paid sick leave in New York City got a big boost when the New York Times editorial board wrote in favor of a paid sick days ordinance not just for New York, but for all Americans(opens in new tab).
With New Yorkers in favor of paid sick leave by a margin of 73-20(opens in new tab) percent and a veto-proof bill pending, the only thing standing in the way of paid sick days in NYC is City Council speaker Christine Quinn(opens in new tab), who has blocked a vote on the bill.
Seattle
Here at home, Seattle is gearing up for implementation of our Paid Sick and Safe Time(opens in new tab) ordinance, set to take effect September 1st, 2012. In preparation, the city is hosting forums(opens in new tab) for employers to gets their questions answers about implementation of the law.
If you have any questions about the upcoming implementation of Paid Sick and Safe Days, contact the Seattle Office for Civil Rights(opens in new tab).
By EOI Intern Ashwin Warrior