The New Jersey State AFL-CIO sincerely thanks our affiliates, community partners, and many elected leaders who continue to make statewide earned sick days a top priority for our state. Today, the State Federation was proud to join with our progressive allies to offer testimony before the Assembly Labor Committee in support of the statewide earned sick days bill (A-2354). The bill was released by a vote of 6 to 3 which fell along party lines:
Vote on Earned Sick Days Bill
YES – Joseph V. Egan, Chair (D-17)
YES – Shavonda E. Sumter, Vice-Chair (D-35)
YES – Craig J. Coughlin (D-19)
NO – Ronald S. Dancer (R-12)
YES – Raj Mukherji (D-33)
YES – Jason O’Donnell (D-31)
YES – Annette Quijano (D-20)
NO – Parker Space (R-24)
NO – Jay Webber (R-26)
The Star-Ledger published an editorial today, highlighting the overwhelming evidence in favor of earned sick days. For example, there are 1.2 million New Jerseyans who have no access to paid sick days, and are forced to make the unfair choice between going to work sick or sacrificing much-needed wages. Furthermore, while earned sick days is a basic right in 150 countries around the globe, currently only two U.S. states have such a policy.
We applaud Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt and Assemblyman Raj Mukherji for their sponsorship of A-2354, and those legislators who voted in favor of advancing this legislation. As we continue our push to make this bill a law, the ongoing support of affiliates and community partners will be essential.
This is a law that benefits workers, businesses, and the community. The time is now for earned sick days.