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News release

Prince George’s County Council Introduces Paid Sick Leave Bill

September 9, 2015
Paid Family & Medical Leave

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

With 130,000+ county residents unable to earn paid sick days, supporters and impacted workers gather to urge swift, strong passage
UPPER MARLBORO – This Thursday, dozens of advocacy organizations and impacted county residents will gather to celebrate the introduction of legislation to allow workers in the county to earn up to seven paid sick days per year.
 
“We must ensure that our county’s policies catch up with the realities faced by today’s working families,” said Jennifer Jones, president of HOCS Strategic Business Solutions. “As a small business owner and longtime advocate for women throughout Prince George’s County, it’s inexcusable to think that in 2015 any working woman – or family – would have to choose between her sick child and her job.”
  
The Earned Sick and Safe Leave bill would bring paid sick days to more than 130,000 workers in Prince George’s County who are forced to choose between caring for their own health or the health of a loved one and ensuring their family’s economic security. It would:  
  • Allow Prince George’s County workers to earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to seven full days (56 hours) of paid sick leave per year
  • Afford employees “safe time” to take paid leave to obtain medical attention, victims services, counseling, relocation or legal services as a result of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking
  • Permit employers with existing paid leave standards to maintain those policies as long as they comply with the minimum regulations of the Act
“Elected officials have a responsibility to those who work hard every day to keep our local economy strong,” said Tiffany Flowers, Organizing Director of UFCW Local 400, which represents thousands of the County’s grocery and packing house workers.  “Paid sick days are vital to ensuring the health and security of the families we represent.”
 
Backed by Working Matters, a coalition of 140 organizations working to advance the Maryland Campaign for Paid Sick Days, the measure is supported by a broad group of local organizations including 1199 SEIU, Advocates for Children and Youth, CASA, Job Opportunities Task Force, LiUNA! Mid-Atlantic, Maryland Working Families, the Metro Washington Council AFL-CIO, MomsRising, MSEA/PGCEA, Progressive Maryland, Public Justice Center, SEIU 32BJ, SEIU Local 500, UFWC Local 1994 MCGEO, and UFCW Local 400. 
 
What: Press conference to Celebrate Prince George’s County Council introduction of Earned Sick and Safe Leave bill
 
When: Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 2:00 pm
 
Where: County Administration Building, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (entrance across from lake)
 
Who: Large crowd of affected workers and advocates urging the Prince George’s County Council to pass paid sick leave legislation
 

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.