To: Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Mayor Bloomberg: Sign Paid Sick Days into Law
Mayor Bloomberg: I urge you to sign the New York City Earned Sick Time Act into law. Please allow workers in New York City to earn up to five paid sick days per year to care for themselves or a sick family member.
Why is this important?
On Wednesday, May 8, 2013, the New York City Council voted 45 to 3 in favor of the NYC Earned Sick Time Act. This historic legislation allows workers to earn up to five Paid Sick Days per year to recover from an illness or to care for a sick child or family member. While we do have a supermajority of support, Mayor Bloomberg plans to veto this crucial bill.
If the bill is signed, beginning on April 1, 2014, businesses with 20 or more employees will be required to offer five accrued Paid Sick Days per year. On October 1, 2015, the coverage will expand to include companies with 15 or more workers. An estimated one million workers will finally get paid sick days because of this law. It will also guarantee another 300,000 workers up to five unpaid, job-protected sick days (as of April 1, 2014).
Mayor Bloomberg wrongly claims that this bill will "stifle job creation." This has not been the case in cities like San Francisco, which has had an even more expansive law since 2007. Paid sick leave prevents the spread of contagious illnesses, protects worker's economic security, and increases businesses' productivity.
New York City has been fighting for Paid Sick Days for four years. Tell Mayor Bloomberg that we've waited long enough. Respect the wishes of New Yorkers, and sign this bill into law today.
If the bill is signed, beginning on April 1, 2014, businesses with 20 or more employees will be required to offer five accrued Paid Sick Days per year. On October 1, 2015, the coverage will expand to include companies with 15 or more workers. An estimated one million workers will finally get paid sick days because of this law. It will also guarantee another 300,000 workers up to five unpaid, job-protected sick days (as of April 1, 2014).
Mayor Bloomberg wrongly claims that this bill will "stifle job creation." This has not been the case in cities like San Francisco, which has had an even more expansive law since 2007. Paid sick leave prevents the spread of contagious illnesses, protects worker's economic security, and increases businesses' productivity.
New York City has been fighting for Paid Sick Days for four years. Tell Mayor Bloomberg that we've waited long enough. Respect the wishes of New Yorkers, and sign this bill into law today.