ProgressOhio

PAID SICK DAYS TO SUBMIT 250,000 SIGNATURES

COALITION SAYS GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHOULD PASS BILL
 

Columbus, Ohio..... Ohioans for Healthy Families announced today that on Tuesday, December 11, it will submit more than a quarter of a million signatures from voters in all 88 Ohio counties to Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner in support of a bill to allow workers to earn up to seven (7) paid sick days per year.

Petition signatures will be submitted by the Coalition for Healthy Families, a non-profit statewide coalition representing over 180 organizations and individuals. Under Ohio's "initiated statute" process, 120,683 valid signatures (as certified by the Secretary of State) will place the proposed law before the Ohio General Assembly early next year. If the legislature fails to enact the bill within 120 days, the Coalition will gather additional signatures to put the proposed law on the 2008 General Election ballot.

WHAT : PAID SICK DAY PETITION SUBMISSION NEWS CONFERENCE

WHEN : Tuesday, December 11, 2007, 12:00noon-1:00pm

WHERE: Ohio Secretary of State's Office, 180 E. Broad St., Columbus

The United States is the only industrialized country in the world without paid sick days. 42% of Ohio's private sector work force (about 2.2 million people) have no legal right to even a single paid sick day at their places of employment. When illness strikes them or their children, these workers (including 40% of middle income earners) must choose between taking care of their families and losing a day's pay or, sometimes, even their jobs. The Ohio Healthy Families Act (HFA) would require companies with 25 or more employees to allow full-time workers to earn 7 paid sick days per year, and part-time employees to earn a pro-rated number. The bill also contains provisions to protect employers and prevent abuse.

In announcing the news conference, HFA campaign manager Brian Dunn said:

"When we kicked off this campaign on behalf of Ohio families back in October, we predicted voters would overwhelmingly rally to the cause. But their enthusiasm has surprised even us. In 3 short months, we've collected more than double the number of signatures we needed, and from across the political spectrum ---Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike. Clearly, paid sick days is an idea whose time has come. We call on the Legislature to pass this bill quickly and give the people what they want."

At noon, Coalition volunteers will begin unloading petitions at Broad and E. 4th St. At 12:30pm, the news conference will take place outside Brunner's 15th floor office.