Testimony from March 5 Hearing

Thanks to everyone who was able to attend the hearing on March 5. Please find copies of the Coalition's testimony below.

Dr. Claudia Williams, Institute for Women’s Policy Research
Steve Herzenberg, Keystone Research Center
Karen Barnes
Rosemary Devine
Teresa Mansell, Childspace CDI
Aliya Johnson, Childcare Owner
Liz McElroy, AFL-CIO
Dr. Walter Tsou, past president of the American Public Health Association and former health
commissioner of Philadelphia
Julie Avalos, Congreso de Lations Unidos
Marianne Bellesorte, Senior Director of Public Policy and Media Relations, PathWays PA
Fabricio Rodriguez, Lead Coordinator, ROC Philadelphia

Written Testimony
Congressman Robert Brady
Gale Brewer, City Councilwoman, New York City
Dr. James Plumb, Jefferson Hospital

Free Flu Vaccines for Restaurant Workers - Jan. 22 12-4pm

From our friends at the Restaurant Opportunities Center Philadelphia.  To get involved with the Restaurant Opportunities Center, a national restaurant workers organization, or to learn more about their work with the Coalition for Healthy Families and Workplaces earned sick day campaign in Philadelphia, please email sheila@rocunited.org.

Sign up online:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dEowdnU5ekFMekdUWTQ0VVhkVDZ2eHc6MQ

During the worst flu season in a decade, 93% of restaurant workers in Philadelphia do not have access to health insurance or earned sick days. As a result 2/3 of restaurant workers have reported having to work while sick. The lack of sick days afforded to restaurant workers creates a breeding ground for a public health crisis during flu season. According to the American Journal of Public Health, lack of paid sick time led to an estimated 5 million additional cases of H1N1 flu in 2009.

In order to keep restaurant workers, their families and consumer safe during restaurant week, the Restaurant Opportunities Center and Thomas Jefferson University, Center for Urban Studies are partnering to provide free flu vaccinations for restaurant workers.

Vaccines will take place on January 22 from 12-4pm at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Center for Urban Health. 211 South 9th St, Suite 313 (across the street from the NeuroScience Hospital).

To register for a vaccine, please fill out the form here.

Please also take a moment to sign the petition asking City Councilman James Kenney (former restaurant worker) to vote YES on the earned sick day bill coming before City Council Jan. 24, 2013. http://www.change.org/petitions/councilman-james-kenney-vote-yes-on-earned-sick-days

The Numbers Behind the Philly Fight for Paid Sick Days

Restaurant Opportunity Center

Behind the Kitchen Door, released two weeks ago by Philly ROC, is a 65-page report conducted by talking to restaurant workers and employers and using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to put local working conditions into perspective.

The information reflects a tone which argues restaurant workers should be provided paid sick days and a higher tipped minimum wage, among other things, using statistics regarding employees working sick because they don’t earn enough to take time off.

Read the Full Article
Read the ROC Report

Week After Philly Restaurant Report, Fight Begins in City Hall

Oct 18, 2012 by Randy LoBasso

"Behind the Kitchen Door: The Hidden Reality of Philadelphia’s Thriving Restaurant Industry” reveals shocking evidence of injustice and inequality in one of Philadelphia’s fastest growing economic sectors

Just a week after the Philadelphia Restaurant Opportunity Center released its “Behind the Kitchen Door” report, which details the wages and conditions under which restaurant employees work in Philadelphia, the fight for new workplace standards is on. But advocates have their work ahead of them.

To read the whole story, please visit Philadelphia Weekly's page.

Call your Councilmembers about earned sick days today!