Did you know that a bill proposing a paid sick days law was first introduced in Congress in 2004?  Since then, never, not once, did the bill even get scheduled for a Congressional Committee hearing — one of the first big steps before a bill can become a law.

Until now.

Because of citizen pressure, a bill creating a national paid sick days policy (called The Healthy Families Act) finally had its first Congressional Committee hearing in June.  Now the bill has 107 cosponsors in the House, and exciting forward MOMentum toward becoming a law!

But just like a car stops when you don’t give it enough gas, our bill won’t keep moving forward without some fuel.

Keep the pedal to the metal with people power! Tell your Congressperson and Senators to pass paid sick days law now:

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/t/9251/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=911

Why do we need paid sick days?
Paid sick days are needed as a part of our public health system and are integral to economic security for families.  This year’s swine flu outbreak offers a telling example.  Doctors and experts tell us that the best way to prevent the spread of the flu is to stay home when you, or your children, are sick.  But in today’s economy, folks without paid sick days simply can’t afford to follow this advice-and that puts everyone at risk of exposure to illness, whether it’s swine flu or any other communicable disease.

Shockingly, today 48% of private sector workers have no paid sick days at all.¹But together, we can change this!

There is also a strong economic case for paid sick days.  It turns out that having access to paid sick days actually saves businesses money. Working people who are allowed to earn paid sick days are more productive and less likely to leave their job, which saves businesses money by reducing turnover. A recent study found that if workers were provided just seven paid sick days per year, our national economy would experience a net savings of $8.1 billion per year. ²

Paid Sick Days will make our country healthier and more economically secure.  The Healthy Families Act is getting some great momentum in Congress right now and we need your help to keep the pressure on!

Give the Healthy Families Act a little gas by emailing your elected officials today!

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1768/t/9251/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=911

About the Healthy Families Act: This law would allow workers to earn up to seven job-protected paid sick days each year.  These days would be accrued at a rate of  one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours (seven days) per year, unless the employer selects a higher limit.  The days can be used to care for worker’s own illness, preventative care, or to provide care for a sick family member. A domestic violence provision allows workers to use paid sick time to recover from or seek assistance related to an incidence of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault.

1. http://www.sfphes.org/work_sick_day.htm (also read the excellent Health Impact Assessment of the Healthy Families Act at this link)
2. http://paidsickdays.nationalpartnership.org/site/DocServer/paid_sick_days_HFA_fact_sheet.pdf?docID=3021