Paid Sick Days Policy Success

Paid Sick Days

No one should have to choose between working sick and losing a day's pay - or their job.

Whether caring for their children, an elderly parent, partner or themselves, all workers occasionally need access to paid time off to look after their own health and that of their loved ones. Yet in Seattle, 190,000 people don't have access to paid sick days.

That’s why in 2010, EOI brought together representatives from public health groups, businesses, unions and community organizations to form the Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce.

Thanks to a coordinated media strategy, broad coalition, an outpouring of public support, and ordinance sponsor Nick Licata, the Seattle City Council passed the Paid Sick Days ordinance on Septmerber 12th, 2011.

When the new law takes effect on September 1st, 2012, an estimated 150,000 workers who previously did not earn paid sick days will start to accrue them; thousands more workers will be able earn additional paid sick days and have additional flexibility for using them.

Over 100 local organizations and small businesses endorsed the paid sick days proposal. The Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce – whose leadership included the Economic Opportunity Institute, MomsRising, Puget Sound Sage, UFCW 21, Legal Voice, Washington CAN, Puget Sound Association for Retired Americans, M.L. King County Labor Council, and the Washington State Labor Council – mobilized thousands of Seattle workers and voters who called, emailed and turned out in support.