Paid Sick Leave: It’s Catching

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 61 percent of all workers in the private sector get paid sick leave.

By Pablo Ros | December 11, 2014

The trend continues. In Massachusetts, voters approved a ballot initiative on Nov. 4 that guarantees paid sick leave to all workers. Trenton and Montclair, New Jersey, and Oakland, California, did the same. In Oregon, lawmakers are pushing a bill that would require employers to provide up to seven days of paid sick leave to their employees. And in Tacoma, Washington, Mayor Marilyn Strickland has come up with a proposal to guarantee three days of paid sick leave to all employees.

How many workers in our nation benefit from paid sick leave? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 61 percent of all workers in the private sector do. That’s appalling but not surprising. It’s just another consequence of the assault on unions by corporations and political extremists. Declining union membership means nearly four out of 10 private-sector workers come to work sick – or don’t get paid.

The picture is noticeably different for state and local government workers, where union membership is stronger. For decades, AFSCME helped raise workplace standards for all public service workers. Today, nine out of 10 workers in state and local government receive paid sick leave and, of those who belong to a union, it’s nearly everyone – 97 percent.

Employees shouldn’t have to risk their health to do their jobs. A healthy employee is a productive one. That attitude appears to be catching.