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We Won! California Lawmakers Pass Bill Giving Workers COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave

A message from SEIU 721 President David Green: 

We and our labor allies fought hard for COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave for California workers. On Monday, with the passage of S.B. 114, we won. Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill this week, giving workers up to two weeks of paid leave. 

That time off can be used to recover from a COVID-19 infection or immunization, to get vaccinated, or to care for infected family members and children who cannot attend school because of closures or isolation periods related to the virus. 

For months, we and our labor allies demanded that Newsom and state lawmakers act after they allowed COVID paid sick leave to expire on September 30 last year. Many workers called their legislators. Others signed petitions.

In a letter I wrote to Newsom last month, I urged the governor to work to immediately reinstate COVID paid sick leave to help keep workers, families, and communities safe.

We’re glad our state leaders finally listened. This common-sense move ensures that workers will have the time they need to recover from COVID-19 or help their loved ones during this difficult time. No one should have to choose between their paychecks and keeping themselves, their co-workers, their families, and their communities safe.

We say it often, but it rings truer in moments like these: When we fight, we win.

Categories: Covid19 | Workplace Safety