We were delighted to see this editorial in the Stoneham Sun by Massachusetts legislator Jason Lewis. Today, nearly 1.4 million working people in Massachusetts aren't allowed to earn a single paid sick day -- and even folks with paid sick days are often not allowed to use them to take care of sick kids. As a result, too many workers are going to work sick, or sending their kids to school sick when there's no one to take care of them. With the threat of an H1N1 outbreak this fall, the CDC is asking people to stay home from work when ill or keep their sick kids home from school to reduce the risk of spreading illness. But this is just not feasible for the millions of families in Massachusetts and around the country that can not take a day off work without losing a day's wages or even their job. That's why MomsRising is fighting for the right to earn paid sick days. In Massachusetts, we're working to pass "An Act Establishing Paid Sick Days" (H1815/S688). The next hearing is on October 7th in the Labor and Workforce committee - we hope you'll join us to show support for this important public health measure.

For more information, email julia@momsrising.org