Albany, NY — During his State of the County address, County Executive Daniel P. McCoy highlighted the urgent need for paid sick leave in Albany County: “Access to paid sick days promotes safer and healthier work environments by reducing the spread of illness and workplace injuries; it reduces healthcare costs and supports children and families by helping parents fulfill their caregiving responsibilities.”
His words come at an opportune time with the annual flu virus affecting millions of families around the country. They also reflect a growing concern about this issue among workers and organizations in the area.
“We first began to hear about the lack of sick days from some of the minimum wage workers in the Fight for $15,” said Blue Carreker, Campaign Manager for Citizen Action of New York. “Those working to pass Paid Family Leave,” said Carreker, “also noted the irony that workers under the new law would be able to care for their loved ones, but still not be able to afford to take a paid personal sick day.”
Last fall, Citizen Action began to bring representatives from labor, faith, health and safety, women’s equality and other community organizations together to review the New York City Paid Sick Days law, as well as legislation introduced in Westchester County. The coalition started to collect data about Albany County and what they found compelled them to action.
When working people have no choice but to go to work sick, they risk infecting others and delay seeking care. A study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) finds that an estimated 40% of workers living in Albany County lack even a single paid sick day. This forces many working people living paycheck-to-paycheck to go to work sick, which puts coworkers and customers at greater risk of illness.
Last fall, coalition members quietly launched a sign on letter to begin to assess community support for Paid Sick Days. In November, they turned out to support two workers who spoke to the County Legislators at their November meeting, during the Public Comment time. “The County Executive clearly has his ear to the ground,” said Carreker. “We are thrilled they he has decided to take leadership on this important issue!”
“Paid sick days in Albany County would ensure all workers remain healthy and safe while on the job: guaranteeing workers get the rest they need to perform their job safely and preventing workplace injuries, especially for occupations where we see people working long hours and experiencing fatigue,” said Rossana Coto-Batres, Northeast NY Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health. “Workers in Albany County should be able to take sicks day off to take care of their health.”
“We have a responsibility to protect the health and safety of workers by guaranteeing paid sick days,” said Peter Cook, Executive Director of the New York State Council of Churches. “Tens of thousands of people in Albany County, many of whom are low-income or hourly workers, don’t have the benefit of a single sick day. This is indefensible. The people of Albany County deserve this basic protection. We can’t let another year pass without getting this done.”
“As a fast food worker in Albany County, I’m fighting for paid sick days because it’s a major concern for people in my industry,” said Chris Gordon, Albany McDonald’s worker and member of the Fight for $15. “Two weeks ago I took a day off to take care of my younger child. That week I had to ask for extra shifts to make up the hours I lost. If I had paid sick days, I wouldn’t have to choose between a paycheck and taking care of myself or my child. It would be a tremendous relief for my entire family.”
“All workers should be able to stay home when sick without jeopardizing their basic security. In the health care industry, we see it far too often: people watch their illness go from bad to worse because they go to work instead of seeking the treatment they need,” said Jill Furillo, RN, Executive Director, NYSNA. “Paid sick leave promotes healthier families, healthier workplaces, and healthier communities.”
“No one should have to lose pay or risk their job just to recover for an illness or care for a sick child. It’s wrong. We’re pleased to see County Executive McCoy call for paid sick days in Albany County, and we hope Albany will join the dozens of cities, counties, and states who guarantee paid sick days as a basic workplace standard,” said Anita Thayer, Working Families Party Capital District Chapter Secretary.
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