Our Letter to the Editor in the Anchorage Daily News: Workers Need Paid Sick Days

Published: November 12th, 2009

Our Letter to the Editor, published today in the Anchorage Daily News:

Workers Need Paid Sick Days

As reported in The New York Times on Tuesday (“Lack of Paid Sick Days May Worsen Flu Pandemic”), when 40 percent of the working population lack a paid sick leave policy, everybody suffers. This isn’t just an issue of fairness; it’s an issue of public health.

Hundreds of cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Alaska in the last month, and while health officials recommend those who have the flu stay home to avoid infecting others, many workers simply can’t afford to, and many parents send their sick kids to school because they can’t afford to miss a day.

The state Legislature considered a bill in 2009, introduced by Sen. Johnny Ellis, that would have protected public health by making sure employees earn a reasonable number of paid sick days each year. Unfortunately, the bill stalled in committee. We encourage the Legislature to follow up this winter by finally establishing a paid sick leave policy for Alaska that ensures fairness for workers and that will help protect us all.

– Matt Wallace, executive director

Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG)

In the News | Our Letter to the Editor in the Anchorage Daily News: Workers Need Paid Sick Days

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