WHEREAS, over 40% of private sector workers in Massachusetts lack a single guaranteed paid sick day and as a result, these workers lack the ability to stay home from work to get well, or to care for a sick child or relative without losing a day’s pay; and

 

WHEREAS, workers who have no job-protected paid sick days must choose – leave a sick child home or lose a day’s pay or even a job; and

 

WHEREAS, employers who provide no paid sick days encourage workers to come to work sick, lowering overall productivity and spreading contagious illnesses; and

 

WHEREAS, health care costs rise when workers cannot take care of themselves and their families, forcing all healthcare payers to pay more; and

 

WHEREAS, the lack of paid sick days has a greater impact on low wage workers, 85% of whom do not enjoy a single paid sick day to care for themselves or a family member; and

 

WHEREAS, America proclaims it supports family values, yet our families are not valued when outmoded workplaces and practices prevent us from being both responsible family members and responsible workers; therefore be it

 

RESOLVED that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will continue to support the Paid Sick Days Act which would secure up to 7 paid sick days per year for workers in Massachusetts for the purpose of taking care of the routine illness of the employee's self, child, parent, spouse or parent of a spouse; and be it finally

 

RESOLVED that the President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will transmit a copy of this resolution and other information to all relevant parties to demonstrate its ardent support of securing paid sick days for working families.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

UAW Region 9A Massachusetts CAP Council

Willie Desnoyers, Chair

Robert Madore, Director UAW Region 9A