Following its successful “Raise the Wage” campaign, Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. was honored to once again be asked by legislative leadership to shepherd another social economic justice campaign for working families on earned sick days.  The campaign will seek to educate the public and elected officials about the importance of establishing an earned sick time policy for workers - a policy that brings social and economic justice to the workplace.

Recently, earned sick time laws have been passed in New Jersey’s two largest cities – Newark and Jersey City.  The hard work of the Time to Care Coalition in educating residents and elected officials was key to their passage.  These city laws have also built much needed momentum to begin a statewide campaign. 

“The time is now to begin to educate lawmakers and the general public about how such a policy is critical in protecting public health and allowing workers the ability to stay home from work when ill, without the fear of losing much needed income or worse – their jobs,” said Charles Hall, Jr. Chairman of Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. 

Legislative leadership has declared earned sick leave as a priority.  Senate President Steve Sweeney has asked Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. to partner with him and his legislative colleagues to begin the education campaign, and last month, Assemblyman Vince Prieto included it in his list of priorities after being elected speaker. Legislation has already been introduced in both houses to implement an earned sick leave program.  S-785 is sponsored by Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-37) and A-4125 is sponsored by Assemblywoman Pam Lampitt (D-6).

“We applaud their leadership on this important issue and look forward to working with them to ensure that New Jersey residents understand the importance of enacting this policy,” said Charles Hall, Jr.  It’s a win-win for workers and public health policy.”

Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. will be holding its first meeting of community activists and coalition partners to launch the campaign.  Over 256 such organizations came together to “Raise the Wage” in 2013 under the banner of Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. to educate the general public about the importance of voting in support of ballot question #2, and in 2014, we now turn our attention to earned sick time.

Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization, comprised of over 256 labor, religious, community, civil rights, student, women, and retiree groups, collectively committed to improving the quality of life for all New Jersey families through issue advocacy and participation in the democratic process.

###