Massachusetts Moms Will Urge Legislators to Keep Paid Sick Days Bill Alive

MEDIA ADVISORY

April 20, 2010

CONTACT: Gretchen Wright, 202-371-1999

Massachusetts Moms to Declare an Emergency at State House, Will Urge Legislators to Keep Paid Sick Days Bill Alive

MomsRising.org Urges Joint Committee on Health Care Financing to Vote on Paid Sick Days

There’s an emergency in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and E-Mom-Ts (Emergency Mom Technicians) are coming to the rescue! Massachusetts MomsRising members will be delivering ambulance-o-grams to the chairs and vice-chairs of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing bearing messages from moms, dads, and others across the Commonwealth urging them to bring the paid sick days legislation to a vote. Just prior to the delivery, moms, dads, kids and others will gather at:

10:45 AM, Thursday, April 22

Grand Staircase

Massachusetts State House

Boston

An Act to Establish Paid Sick Days (HB 1803/SB 1073) would ensure that all Massachusetts workers can earn a minimum of seven paid sick days annually to take care of their own health needs and those of family members. Currently, almost half (47 percent) of private sector Massachusetts workers do not have even a single guaranteed paid sick day.

MomsRising.org is an online and on-the-ground grassroots organization that supports family-friendly policies. With support from MotherWoman, the organization generated the messages being delivered to legislators, which include:

As a father of two in a household with two working parents, AND a small business manager, I see the need for paid sick days from both sides of the paycheck.

--Marshall, Reading, MA

I'm a single mom and a member of the working poor. As legislators I hope you will take the responsibility to protect your hard working citizens.

--Nina, Granby, MA

Over and over again this year people were told not to go to work with the swine flue. If people are not given sick days, they will come to work sick. It is so clear that this bill must be passed

--Liana, Cambridge, MA

My baby ended up in the ER for croup this winter - a complication of one of the MANY colds our family caught this winter from others - too many do not have paid sick leave! Please move this legislation forward and bring this bill to a vote this session!

--Catherine, South Hadley, MAM

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MEDIA NOTE: MomsRising Campaign Manager Marianne Bullock will be available on-site for comment on the action and the legislation.

MomsRising is an online and on-the-ground grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to achieve economic security for all families in the United States. MomsRising is working for paid family leave, flexible work options, affordable child care, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes so many mothers. MomsRising also advocates for healthcare for all, toxic-free environments, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on Issues that are critically important to America’s families.

MotherWoman supports and empowers mothers to create positive personal and social change for ourselves, our families, our communities and the world.