On Monday, Ohioans for Healthy Families kicked off our statewide campaign for paid sick days. Here is a summary of our news coverage.
First, a short news story from WCBE. Press play to hear the story:
The Columbus Dispatch: Push for Sick Days Begins
When Jean Tome had a sore throat and eye infection earlier this year, she did what many working Ohioans do -- she went to work sick. Staying home means no pay for Tome, 60, who works full time at a Columbus gift shop. Tome is among an estimated 2.2 million Ohio workers -- 42 percent of the private-sector work force -- who have no paid sick days. A union-led, statewide coalition officially kicked off a campaign yesterday to enact the Ohio Healthy Families Act in 2008.A union-led, statewide coalition officially kicked off a campaign yesterday to enact the Ohio Healthy Families Act in 2008. The proposed law would require all companies with at least 25 employees to give employees seven sick days a year. Part-time workers would get a prorated number of days.
Employees could use the sick days for themselves or to care for a child, parent or spouse. Physical and mental illness would be covered as well as injuries, other medical conditions and preventive care
Business Week:Ohio Group Pushes for Sick Days :
A labor-led coalition pushing for mandated paid sick days for workers at larger businesses said Monday it has gathered enough signatures to put the issue before lawmakers.The Ohio Healthy Families Act, which is backed by the Service Employees International Union and the AFL-CIO, would require businesses with 25 or more employees to give full-time employees seven sick days per year. Part-time employees could earn sick days on a pro-rated basis. The coalition has gathered around 140,000 signatures and will continue to gather more before submitting the proposal to the Legislature in January, campaign manager Brian Dunn said.
NBC4i: Coalition: Mandatory Paid Sick Days Nearing Legislature
A labor-led coalition pushing for mandated paid sick days for workers at larger businesses said Monday it has gathered enough signatures to put the issue before lawmakers. The group will continue to gather more signatures because the number found to be valid by the secretary of state's office is generally lower than the total number of signatures submitted.The coalition has gathered around 140,000 signatures and will continue to gather more before submitting the proposal to the Legislature in January, campaign manager Brian Dunn said.
"People that come to work with the flu are not productive workers. Furthermore, they're not productive when they get the rest of their coworkers sick," Dunn said.
"Ohioans overwhelmingly support this -- the very people who put our General Assembly members in office. We anticipate and hope that the General Assembly will put this through," Dunn said.
Dayton Daily News: Coalition Pushing Sick Leave Legislation:
A coalition of more than 100 labor, religious and social action groups and individuals on Monday rolled out its campaign to require that Ohio workers be able to earn seven paid sick days per year to care for themselves or a child, spouse or parent.Front Page, NewsThe proposal would apply to companies with 25 or more employees.
Because "illness is a fact of life," millions of Ohio workers must choose between their jobs or taking care of themselves or a sick relative, Dale Butland, spokesman for the Coalition for Healthy Families, said at a Columbus news conference.
A news conference also was held in Dayton at Mt. Enon Baptist Church.
Butland said 42 percent of Ohio's private sector workers — about 2.2 million people — have no paid sick days.
Posted by SickDaysOhio.org on October 23, 2007
