05.27.2016

MINNEAPOLIS – Elected officials and worker advocates cheered passage of paid sick leave legislation in Minneapolis, which would give workers at businesses with six employees or more 48 hours of annual paid sick time and the right to bank up to 80 hours that can be carried over to a new year. The vote ensures paid time off for more than 123,000 in the city and makes Minneapolis the first city in Minnesota to require paid sick leave. It follows in the wake of successful paid sick days campaigns in Los Angeles, Spokane, Vermont, and a growing host of other states and cities.

Those leading the charge for the legislation included Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, TakeAction Minnesota, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha (CTUL), ISAIAH, Main Street Alliance of Minnesota, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, Minnesota Nurses Association, SEIU and Working Minnesota, and Minneapolis Council Vice President Elizabeth Glidden, a member of Local Progress, an initiative of the Center for Popular Democracy.

JoEllen Chernow, Director of Economic Justice at Center for Popular Democracy, released the following statement:

“Forcing people to come to work when they’re sick is unsafe and unfair - and today, thanks to the actions of committed workers and organizers in Minneapolis, tens of thousands across the city won't have to make that painful choice any longer. Minneapolis is one of the first big cities to pass paid sick days, but it won’t be the last. We will continue to beat the drum for healthy communities and ensure all workers get the right to the sick time they need.”

Anthony Newby, Executive Director of Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, also released a statement:

“Today's vote is a tremendous victory for low-wage workers of color who fought for, demanded, and won better workplace protections. Addressing economic inequality is crucial to solving Minnesota’s persistent racial disparities. Earned sick and safe time for Minneapolis workers is an important step in the right direction.”

Dan McGrath, Executive Director of TakeAction Minnesota, also released a statement:

“Today’s final vote by the City Council to approve one of the strongest earned sick and safe time ordinances in the country represents the work of a movement of workers from throughout Minneapolis who harnessed the power of organizing to win the right to put their family’s health and wellbeing first. That organizing, and all of the organizations and individuals who came together helped to make today’s historic vote a reality and we have been proud to be part of it. However, for Minnesotans, this is only a first step toward healthier and more vibrant communities. We will continue our work with community members and elected leaders in St. Paul and Duluth to expand earned sick and safe time.”

Elizabeth Glidden, Vice President of the Minneapolis City Council, also released a statement:

“Minneapolis is just the latest city to recognize a basic truth: paid sick days are good for employees, good for business, and good for the economy. We are glad policymakers resisted calls for a preemption policy that would rob cities of the freedom to regulate themselves. Minneapolis has led the way on policies that would restore dignity to workers, and will continue to make sure every resident of our city has a chance to keep up and get ahead.”

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The Center for Popular Democracy promotes equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. CPD builds the strength and capacity of democratic organizations to envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial justice agenda.

Contact:

Asya Pikovsky, apikovsky@populardemocracy.org, 207-522-2442

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