Thanks to the efforts of Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. and our many community partners, progress continues to be made in pursuit of statewide earned sick days. Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to release this bill (S-799), by a vote of 7 to 6. Votes were cast mostly along party lines with Democrats voting in the affirmative and all Republicans as well as Senator Jeff Van Drew (D) voting in the negative.

Our coalition thanks the bill’s many supporters as well as prime sponsors Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senator Loretta Weinberg. Our coalition will continue to support this commonsense policy that is not only good for workers, but is also pro-business and pro-public health.

Without a law to guarantee sick leave, 1.2 million workers in New Jersey, mostly in low-income jobs, are being treated as second class citizens. Hard working families have it hard enough already, without the pressure of having to go to work sick.

We believe that this policy deserves strong bipartisan support and call on all legislators to do the right thing and vote for this imperative bill in support of basic workers’ rights.

Our coalition remains dedicated to the fight for this important and sensible measure to ensure workplace justice. As always, thank you for your ongoing support.