Tag Archives: olympia

Paid Sick and Safe Days bill clears last committee before full House vote

Posted on by

Via Washington Policy Watch:

olympiaThe Paid Sick and Safe Days bill is one step closer to passage in the Washington state House after clearing the Rules Committee, its final hurdle before being scheduled for a floor vote.

“This is a big deal,” said EOI Policy Director Marilyn Watkins. “Many good bills die in the Rules Committee, and to have the paid sick days bill passed out of Rules is great news.”

The Paid Sick and Safe Days bill would allow workers in businesses with 5 or more employees to earn paid sick time to be used when the worker is sick, to care for an ill family member, or to deal with the effects of domestic violence. It may also be used for preventive care, which will keep workers and their families healthier. The bill is similar to Seattle’s paid sick and safe days ordinance, which was supported by a large coalition of small business owners and community organizations.

The fate of the Paid Sick and Safe Days bill is now up to House Speaker Frank Chopp and House leadership, who will need to schedule the bill for a vote on the House floor by March 13th. If passed, it would then move to the state Senate for consideration.

Washington families need your help – can you join us in Olympia?

Posted on by

melody-blockOn February 5th, the Washington state House will hold a hearing on our two bills:

1. Family and Medical Leave Insurance
2. Paid Sick Days

Can you join us in Olympia on February 5th from 10AM – 12 noon to tell legislators why these are important to you? Email Gabriela at gabriela@eoionline.org

The Family and Medical Leave Insurance bill would allow workers to take off up to 12 weeks off – at partial pay – for their own serious health condition or to care for a new born or newly adopted child or seriously ill family member. Benefits are solely funded by contributions from workers and their employers, so it doesn’t put added pressure on the state budget.

The Paid Sick Days bill would give workers the right to earn paid sick days while on the job, ensuring all workers can stay home when they or their children are sick.

But in order for these bill to pass, we need your help in Olympia.

Please email Gabriela Quintana to learn more or sign up to testify: gabriela@eoionline.org

PS: Even if you can’t come to Olympia to testify on February 5th, you can still help!

Send us your story about a time paid family leave or paid sick days would have helped you, and we’ll make sure legislators see it! Click here to Share Your Experience.

Washington state Legislature introduces Paid Sick Days bills

Posted on by

Last week, HB 2508 and SB 6229 were introduced in Washington’s legislature by a group of 18 legislators from the House and Senate. These bills would establish minimum standards for paid sick and safe leave for workers across the state of Washington – similar to a standard adopted by the Seattle City Council in September 2011.

The Washington Family Leave Coalition will be working with legislators on the Paid Sick and Safe Leave bills in the coming weeks – but we need your help. Public hearings on the bills will be held in late Januray, and we need people who can share personal testimony about importance of paid sick days for working people and families.

If you can help, please contact Marilyn Watkins.