California Labor Federation Applauds Paid Sick Leave Proposal, Calls for Immediate Action to Provide Relief to Frontline Workers

Statement by California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski:

“Working people deeply appreciate the Governor and legislative leadership acting with urgency to extend paid sick leave for workers stricken by COVID. From the first day of this pandemic, working people have been on the frontlines protecting our families, communities and economy. Paid sick leave is one of the most potent weapons we have in the arsenal to protect these brave workers and slow the spread of this deadly disease. With Omicron surging in California and the potential of other variants right around the corner, we can’t waste any time in reinstating COVID paid sick leave.

“California’s unions are fighting tooth-and-nail to ensure that no worker has to choose between going to work sick or feeding her family. The labor movement supports the proposal announced by the governor and legislative leadership to extend COVID paid sick leave, providing much-needed relief to essential workers and their families. Not only does this measure protect workers, it’s vital to tamping down the surge and keeping schools and businesses open.

“We urge the Legislature to approve the extension of paid sick leave immediately and for the governor to quickly sign this critical bill into law.”

Statement from UDW/AFSCME Local 3930 Executive Director and California Labor Federation Vice President Doug Moore:

“Home care workers are on the frontlines during the pandemic, yet IHSS providers are paid minimum wage or just above for their life-saving work. Increasing their access to paid sick days ensures that this workforce, made up primarily of women of color, can remain healthy enough to continue protecting the older adults and individuals with disabilities whom they serve.”

Statement from California Federation of Teachers President and California Labor Federation Vice President Jeff Freitas:

“We thank Governor Newsom and our legislative leaders for reaching this agreement on supplemental paid sick leave. Restoring supplemental paid sick leave is critical to our teachers and school workers, many of whom right now are being forced to choose between their jobs and the health and safety of their families, and the students they serve. We urge the California Legislature to move as fast as possible to make this agreement law.”

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