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Statement

Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and Co-Founder of MomsRising,On the New York City Paid Sick Time Act

October 14, 2010
Paid Sick Days

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

“Speaker of the City Council Christine Quinn’s announcement that she is pulling her support from the Paid Sick Time Act demonstrates stunning disregard for the needs and rights of workers in New York City. No worker – mom, dad or otherwise – should have to choose between keeping a job and taking time off to recover from illness or care for a loved one.
 
In a city where nearly half of workers, and 66 percent of low-income workers, do not have paid sick days, it is tremendously disappointing that this family-friendly, cost-effective policy is the victim of politics as usual. A recent report showed that 88 percent of New York City’s working mothers support the paid sick days legislation, as do 75 percent of all New Yorkers, regardless of income level. And a majority of City Council members have signed on in support of the bill. It is particularly disappointing that this policy is being opposed by an otherwise progressive woman who wants to be the first female mayor of New York City.
 
We are not giving up. MomsRising knows this policy is critical for America’s and New York City’s working families. Our members and allies will continue our fight in New York City and across the country.”
 

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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.