The New Jersey State AFL-CIO and its coalition partner, Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. (WFUNJ), continue to lead the campaign for a statewide earned sick leave law as the bill comes to the Senate floor on Thursday, December 17, 2015, thanks to the leadership of Senate President Steve Sweeney, the measure’s prime sponsor.
The legislation (S-785/A-2354) is scheduled to be voted on by the full Senate during a session that begins at 2 p.m. This common-sense bill allows workers to earn sick time for hours worked so they can afford to stay home when they, or a loved one, is ill.
No one wants an employee who is sick to be serving us our lunch, taking care of our toddler or handing us change at the convenience store. The New Jersey State AFL-CIO and Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. have been the leading voices supporting this progressive bill because we know how important it is to workers, especially those living paycheck to paycheck, to be able to take time off when they need it without being docked a day’s pay or worrying about being fired.
The United States is the only industrialized country that does not have a national sick leave policy. The New Jersey State AFL-CIO and WFUNJ believe this is an opportunity for our state to lead on this issue, unlike the profit-driven business owners who oppose this fair and humane bill.
Please join us in advocating for social and economic justice for all workers by lending your voice to our continuing campaign. Join us Thursday afternoon in Trenton for the Senate floor vote if you can, and CLICK HERE to tell your legislator it’s time for New Jersey to enact an earned sick leave policy for all workers.
With your continued support, we will soon see statewide earned sick leave signed into law in New Jersey.