In Support of Labor's Role in Securing Paid Sick Days For Workers

WHEREAS, 47% of 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 days 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 sick days encourage workers to come to work sick, lowering overall productivity and spreading contagious illnesses; and

WHEREAS, health care costs rise when workers can’t take care of themselves and their families, forcing all health-care 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;

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 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.

Submitted by:
Robert J. Haynes, President
Louis A. Mandarini, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer