Workers, Business Owners, City Councilmember To Rally for Paid Sick Days Bill

Philadelphia, PA - When a loved one becomes ill, are you forced to choose between caring for them or losing a paycheck, or even your job? People without paid sick days at their jobs often face these impossible choices -- between the work they need and the families they love. A growing coalition of workers, businesses and community leaders, will be joined by City Councilmember William Greenlee, as well as national experts, at a rally in support of providing paid sick days to all Philadelphia workers on Tuesday, March 1 at 9 a.m.

The rally immediately precedes a City Council hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday on earned sick days legislation in the Committee on Public Health and Human Services.

Two out of every five workers in Philadelphia have no access to paid sick days.

The bill in City Council, Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (Bill 080474), would give Philadelphia workers the opportunity to earn up to 9 days of sick time per year to use to care for themselves or their family members. Workers would earn one hour of sick time for every thirty hours they work. Employees of small businesses (10 workers or less) would earn up to 5 days of sick time per year.

Studies in other cities show that both businesses and employees benefit from earned sick days policies. Workers use paid sick leave responsibly and often do not use all of the time offered to them. Businesses save money from higher productivity and lower turnover. Workers without paid sick days are more likely to come to work while ill, spreading germs to co-workers and customers alike.

WHAT: Rally in support of earned sick days legislation
WHEN: 9 a.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2011 (City Council hearing at 10 a.m.)
WHERE: Philadelphia City Hall, Room 401
WHO: Carol Goertzel, President/CEO of PathWays PA
The Honorable William Greenlee
Dewetta Logan, Smart Beginnings Early Learning Center
Dr. Robert Drago, Institute for Women's Policy Research
Other Speakers (to be announced including affected workers)