Good news alert! Today, the Portland City Council is holding another important hearing on an earned sick days proposal that would enable workers to earn up to six paid sick days each year. 

Here’s the even better news: We have an opportunity to influence the scope and strength of the ordinance!

Tell the Portland City Council: Pass a universal earned sick days ordinance that covers all workers and families!

Raising your voice for earned sick days in Portland will make all the difference for the city’s working families and their economic security. Right now, an estimated 20,000 workers in Portland can’t earn a single paid sick day to care for themselves, their child, or another loved one when illness strikes. That’s not okay because for an average family without paid sick days, just 3.5 days of missed work due to a cold or the flu is the equivalent to an entire month of groceries.

Victoria, a Portland MomsRising Member, shared the following:

“If my children get sick, I have to drop them off at daycare anyway. I cannot miss work without the threat of losing my job. I need to work to pay my bills. We already rely on food stamps to keep food on the table.”

Back up Victoria and her kiddos! Urge your City Councilor to support and pass a strong earned sick days ordinance!

The consequences of not having paid sick days are particularly devastating for low-income workers, immigrants, the LGBTQ community, and people of color, who are far less likely to have the financial cushion for unpaid sick time — or health issues exacerbated by not being able to seek medical attention in a timely manner.

We want Portland to be a city where no parent has to make the impossible choice between staying home with a sick child — and losing a day’s pay or even their job — or sending their little one to school sick so that they can keep food on the table and make ends meet.

Tell your Portland City Councilor that you support earned sick time because it’s win-win-win for working families, businesses, and the city’s economy when hardworking families have the guarantee of this basic workplace protection.

After all, paid sick days reduce turnover costs, boost workplace morale, and help stop the spread of illness among workers. What’s not to love?!

Together, we’re a powerful force for Portland women and families.