Join us to tell legislators - pass the Family Care Act!

On Wednesday June 5, a bipartisan group of State Senators and Representatives will be hosting a press conference at the PA State Capitol in Harrisburg to announce "The Family Care Act" - a bill that will establish a statewide family and medical leave program.

PathWays PA is proud to support the Family Care Campaign along with the Women and Girls Foundation and countless partners. We have been working hard to get this bill introduced in the legislature, and now we need your help to get it passed!  We invite you to join us for this special day of action – please let us know if you will be attending!

Why Are Earned Sick Days Important? Ask Betty Carr.

From the Reading Eagle:

Betty Carr had to move herself and her children out of their home after suffering physical abuse from her boyfriend.

Then her 8-month-old son got sick, and Carr had to stay home with him.

So Carr lost her job in food service because her employer believed she took too much time off to care for her son.

That put the 28-year-old and her two children in a Berks Women in Crisis shelter temporarily.

To read more about Betty's story and the issues that many single mothers face, please visit http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=375295.

Top Blog Posts of 2010 from the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces

It has been a busy year for the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces, and the first full year of our blog!  While we are writing up a wrap-up of the year, please take a moment to read some of the most-viewed stories from our blog in 2010.  And to get ready for 2011, check out this post on our sister blog (PathWays PA Policy Blog) about committing to advocacy in the new year!

The most read posts of the year are:

5. PCN Video on Need for Earned Sick Time, September 20, 2010
4. Four Stories on Yesterday's Earned Sick Time Forum, March 11, 2010
3. New Video on the Need for Sick Time in Pennsylvania, August 31, 2010
2. Huffington Post: A New Labor Standard for Labor Day, September 7, 2010
1. Presentations from Today's Public Forum on Earned Sick Time, March 10, 2010

What were your favorite posts from 2010?

Earned Sick Days Provide Women with the Time To Get Better

Women Need Not Only the Tools but the Time to Get Treatment for Breast Cancer – But for Many that is Impossible, as Over 45% of Pennsylvania Workers do not Earn Any Paid Sick Time.

On an average day, 33 women in Pennsylvania are diagnosed with breast cancer. Many of these women work full time jobs where they may be struggling to put food on the table every night. Fighting off a disease like breast cancer is physically, mentally, psychologically, and financially exhausting – even before survivors try to make time to get treatment. For those who work full-time, treatment opportunities may be even more difficult, since over 45% of workers in Pennsylvania do not have any paid sick time.


In a country where one in six workers has lost their job because they were caring for themselves or a loved one, it is no wonder that many women go with out the care they need. When having to choose between losing a job or seeking medical care, many women will choose work over their own health. The industries that are often women-dominated (such as child care, food service, and jobs that pay low wages) are among the least likely to offer paid sick days. For example, nearly three-quarters of child care workers (72 percent) and food service workers (73 percent) lack access to paid sick time. Women in these jobs often cannot take paid time off for treatment or even to get the checkup that might catch their disease before it has time to spread.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please take the time to share your story about either having paid sick time or needing that time to care for yourself or a loved one. To share your story, please contact Kate Scully at PathWays PA at kscully@pathwayspa.org. To view others’ stories please visit the Working Families Story Bank. 

The Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplace is working to provide all of Pennsylvania’s workers with a minimum number of paid sick days that they can earn. The workers can use those days to care for themselves or for a loved one. The time can be used in increments of 15 minutes – allowing workers to make doctor’s appointments without having to loose a full day’s pay.

Image courtesy of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pink_ribbon.svg.

Listen to Last Week's Radio SmartTalk to Learn More About Earned Sick Time

On September 13 last week, Representative Marc Gergely and Gene Barr from the PA Chamber of Business and Industry spoke for an hour about earned sick time in Pennsylvania.  As you may remember, this discussion was postponed last month because Rep. Gergely needed to take a sick day in order to meet with a surgeon about his son's recently broken foot.

You can listen to Representative Gergely and Mr. Barr and leave your own comments at the Radio SmartTalk page.  You can also download the podcast through iTunes for free.

image courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fisher_500_radio.jpg

PCN Video on Need for Earned Sick Time

A new video on the need for earned sick time is now available.  PCN's monthly television program "Agenda for Action" included a story on HB 1830 and an interview from Tiffany Lomax about her need for earned sick time.  You can watch it on YouTube or view it below.

Patriot-News Editorial: "Paid sick leave: It's a way to cure productivity ills"

Check out this editorial in the Patriot-News:

You wake up this morning, ready to start a new week, when suddenly it feels like someone overnight laid a concrete block on your head.

It’s decision time: Do you call in sick or soldier through the workday?

For too many people, the answer to the question is between pain and getting paid.

An estimated 2.2 million workers in Pennsylvania have no paid sick days, many are people working low-paying jobs. If they take a day off when they or a family member is ill, they lose a day’s income, some even risk losing their job. Many just work sick.

Fortunately, our Legislature can make changes that allow for a modest amount of sick time for workers. Rep. Marc Gergely, D-Allegheny County, has introduced legislation that would provide a minimum amount of sick time for workers.

To read the full editorial, visit the Patriot-News website.

Watch PCN on September 26 to Learn More About Earned Sick Time!

On Sunday, September 12, PCN's monthly television program "Agenda for Action" included a story on HB 1830, including a story from Tiffany Lomax about her need for earned sick time.

The "Agenda for Action" program features discussions on state issues with members of the House Democratic Caucus. It also highlights specific legislation and initiatives through reports and stories showcasing people across Pennsylvania. This program will be rebroadcast on September 26 at 2:30 PM.  A preview can be seen on the Agenda for Action website.

Happy 2nd Birthday to the Smoking Ban - Help Ensure Paid Sick Days is Next

Saturday will mark the two-year anniversary of passage of the smoking ban in bar-restaurants in Pennsylvania. While many bar and restaurant owners feared that the ban would hurt business, many are now in favor of it and some even believe it has helped business.

One purpose of the smoking ban was to help ensure a healthier community by limiting individuals’ exposure to second hand smoke, which can lead to many health complications. Having people who choose to smoke go to a designated area limits everyone’s contact with smoke.

Another policy that could help keep our communities healthy is allowing workers to earn paid sick time. Like the smoking ban, many businesses have been against this policy. Also like the smoking ban, in places where providing paid sick days has become law, businesses are now in favor of the policy as implementation has not hindered business.

As shown by the H1N1 pandemic, individuals coming to work sick or sending their children to school sick because they cannot afford to stay home can endanger the health of our communities and workplaces. Unfortunately, the workers who spend the most time with vulnerable populations – such as food service workers and child care educators – are those least likely to have earned sick time making this policy all the more important.

Help keep our communities healthy by contacting your legislators or writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper supporting a workers need to earn a minimum number of paid sick days.

Image courtesy of: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rauchen_Verboten.svg.  

New Video on the Need for Sick Time in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania over 2.2 million workers do not have the ability to earn paid sick days. These are some of their stories.



To listen to these and other stories please visit the Working Families Story Bank.

A special thank you to WOMEN'S WAY, a member of the Coalition that put this video together.

Even State Representatives Need to Use Sick Days

State Representative Marc Gergely, the lead sponsor of the Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act, may have a new story to tell about the need for sick days.  As we mentioned in earlier posts, Representative Gergely was scheduled to be on WITF's Radio SmartTalk today to discuss the need for earned sick time.  Unfortunately, he had to postpone his appearance - because he needed to take a sick day to meet with a surgeon about his son's recently broken foot.

We wish all the best to the Gergely family and for a quick recovery for the Representative's son.  In the meantime, if you have a story to share about the need for sick days, please do so below!


image courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Foot.png

Take Action for Women's Equality Day!

Suffrage Pageant, 1913

In the United States, August 26th is recognized as Women's Equality Day to commemorate the full voting rights given to women when the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920. This year we mark the 90th year of full voting rights for women and take this opportunity to focus on the inequities that remain.

Take Action Now!

On Women's Equality Day this year, 9to5: The National Association of Working Women, PathWays PA, and The Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces are inviting its members, activists, volunteers, allies and others to speak out, raise awareness, and take action for our paid sick days campaign.

Celebrate Women's Equality!

Nearly 40 million private sector employees have no access to earned sick days, including a high proportion of women. According to a survey released in June 2010, while 71 percent of men surveyed reported having paid sick days, only 57 percent of women earned the same benefit. Low-wage workers and workers in female-dominated fields like childcare and food service are far less likely to have access to earned sick days.

There are three ways that you can take action:
Sign our petition in support of earned sick days.
Write a letter to your legislators letting them know how important earned sick days are to you.
Write a letter to the editor (with our easy new letter-writing software) talking about the difference earned sick days can make.

Thank you for taking the time to make a difference and for celebrating Women's Equality Day!

image courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Suffrage_pageant_Washington_1913.jpg

Take Action for Women's Equality Day (August 26)!

The 19th Amendment

This year on Women's Equality Day, we are speaking out on the need for earned sick time.  Here are some things you can do to help:

• Sign our petition in support of earned sick days. 
• Write a letter to your legislators letting them know how important earned sick days are to you
• Write a letter to the editor (with our new letter-writing software) talking about the difference earned sick days can make

image courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:19th_Amendment_Pg1of1_AC.jpg

Turn Your Dial to WITF on August 31

On August 31, radio listeners can tune in to hear Representative Marc Gergely, the main sponsor of legislation to support earned sick days in Pennsylvania, discuss the bill with the host of Smart Talk from 9-10 AM. 

This will be a great opportunity not only to hear the legislator speak but also to ask him your questions. You can call 1-800-729-7532 between 9 and 10 AM to join the conversation, or send your questions at any time to smarttalk@witf.org. Please take time to write or call in with your thoughts.

In the Harrisburg area, listeners can find the program on 89.5 and 93.3.  Other listeners can listen live from their computer by visiting the WITF website.

image courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fisher_500_radio.jpg

Some of the Highlights from the Earned Sick Days Hearing in Pennsylvania

As many of you know, the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces took part last week in a great hearing on the need for earned sick days in Pennsylvania.  With the help of terrific coalition members and national partners such as MomsRising, legislators had an opportunity to learn about the need for earned sick days - and they took advantage of it.

During the legislative hearing and legislative visits, many legislators on both sides of the aisle expressed support after hearing personal stories of Pennsylvania residents impacted by their lack of paid sick time. And we left each legislator a packet of tissues to keep the issue at the top of their minds.

We’re closer to more legislators signing on as cosponsors – which means we’re closer to passing this into law. As Representative Marc Gergely, the lead sponsor of the bill, said at the press conference: “I think [we’ve set] the stage for success this fall and even more so in the upcoming session. We look forward to continuing the fight.”

The day was a great opportunity to remind our elected officials of the common sense reasons for providing a modest minimum of earned sick time – and of the stories of how not having any paid leave has impacted real Pennsylvanians.

One story came from “E”, a nurse who said she has often worked while ill and seen others doing the same, even those who work directly with critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit. As a survivor of domestic violence, E also underscored the need for earned sick time for other survivors. E not only had to work while injured, but when she left her abuser, he scheduled court dates to conflict with her work schedule.

“If I had access to earned sick time that could be used for domestic violence during this period,” E told legislators, “.... I certainly would have been able to use my time in order to attend court dates, preventing my job from being at risk. As a parent, earned sick time would have let me care for my children when they were ill without the worry of potentially losing my job.”


News outlets across the state have picked up on the success of this hearing, and the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces plans to continue working with legislators on this issue at the local, state, and national level. In the meantime, please send a letter to your legislator about the need for earned sick days!

Pictures from the Earned Sick Days Coffee Hour

Guests at the coffee hour network with each other.  Approximately 25 people came for "coffee with content" to learn more about earned sick days.

Guest had the opportunity to see a video highlighting stories of some workers without earned sick time.  You can tell your own story by contacting the Coalition at policy@pathwayspa.org.

Following the video, Kistine Carolan of Maternity Care Coalition and others discussed times when they needed paid sick days.  Many people had stories to tell.

At the end of the event, Rebecca Foley talked about legislation supporting earned sick days at the state, local, and national level.  Over 26 cities and states are working on legislation similar to what is proposed in Philadelphia and in Pennsylvania.

"House Labor Relations Committee Holds Hearing on Paid Sick Leave"

(From our friends at the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO)

On Tuesday, August 17th the Pennsylvania House Labor Relations Committee held a hearing on HB 1830 of which the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO submitted testimony. The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO commends State Representative Marc Gergely for promoting Paid Sick Leave and for introducing House Bill 1830, a bill that benefits employees and employers.

Employees without Paid Sick Leave are left with difficult choices; between working while they are sick and injured or not working and risk being reprimanded or losing their job, or between having to go to work or caring for their sick or injured family member(s) and risk losing their job. Such desperate choices are unfair to employees and can be detrimental to one's health, to a family member's health, customer safety, workplace safety and worker morale.

Support for Paid Sick Leave is strong across party lines, and nine out of ten voters support paid sick days as basic labor standard, according to a poll released by the National Partnership for Women and Families.

In April 2010, at our 39th Constitutional Convention, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO passed a resolution to advocate for Paid Sick Leave legislation. We will continue to educate all Pennsylvanians including state and federal legislators, of the need for this legislation.

Written Testimony from August 17, 2010 Hearing on Earned Sick Time

For those of you interested in reading the testimony from the hearing, you can find it all right here!

Carol Goertzel, President/CEO, PathWays PA
E---------------, Affected Worker
Department of Health
Robert Drago, Ph. D., Research Director, Institute for Women's Policy Research
Rebecca Foley, Director of Education & Advocacy Initiatives, WOMEN'S WAY
Kate Etherington, Senior Program Director, Physicians for Social Responsibility
Sam Denisco, Director of Government Affairs, PA Chamber of Business and Industry
Carol Tracy, Executive Director, Women's Law Project

Testimony submitted for the record:
Richard Bloomingdale, President, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
Donna Levitt, Manager, Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (San Francisco)
Dr. James Plumb, Professor, Thomas Jefferson University
K.C. Moylan, Chief Operation Officer, Pei Wei Asian Diner, Inc.
Susan Kavchok, Childspace Management Group, Inc.

Need for Earned Sick Days Front and Center in Harrisburg This Week

Thanks to Family Values @ Work for posting about earned sick days!

On Tuesday, the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces in Pennsylvania traveled to Harrisburg to shine a light on the need for earned sick time – and to turn up the heat on legislators to pass the earned sick time bill.

You can read the full post here.

Let Your Legislators Know That Earned Sick Days Are Important To You!

Our friends at PathWays PA are proud to offer a new way to contact your legislators directly about important issues.  Over the next few weeks, they will be rolling out action alerts that will allow you to send targeted emails directly to your state and federal representatives on the issues that are important to you.

Their first email is targeted on yesterday's hearing on Earned Sick Time by the House Labor Relations Committee.  If you support earned sick time, please let your legislator know today!

Currently in Pennsylvania 46 percent of workers have no earned sick time, and a majority of employees without this benefit work in food service and care giving positions. When workers without earned sick time are sick, they have to choose between going to work – where they could potentially infect co-workers or customers – and staying home – where they will lose pay and possibly their jobs.