Paid Sick Days Rally Wakes up DC City Hall

Shaking pill bottle noisemakers and chanting “What do we want? Paid sick days! When do we want them? Now!,” dozens of supporters of the Paid Sick and Safe Days Act rallied early Tuesday morning outside the Wilson Building to demand that the DC City Council pass the act. Activists with crutches, ice packs and thermometers, lined the stairs of the Wilson Building as labor leaders, workers, and supporters of the bill spoke to the necessity of passing the act. The act – stuck for six months in the Committee on Workforce Development and Government Operations chaired by Councilmember Carol Schwartz – would give all DC workers paid sick days to address their own illness, illnesses of family members, or issues of domestic violence or sexual abuse. “All government workers are entitled to paid sick days. If its good enough for government workers, why is it not good enough for all workers?” asked Metro Council President Jos Williams over cheers from the crowd. “Paid sick leave should be a right, not a privilege,” Williams added. Councilmembers Mary Cheh, Jim Graham, Harry Thomas Jr., Marion Barry, and Phil Mendelson all stopped on their way into City Hall to voice support for the legislation. Carol Schwartz had “indicated she wants to move the bill,” said Councilmember Mendelson adding “It is unconscionable that workers have to make a choice between going to work and taking care of themselves or a loved one.” Edie Hessel, a DC school nurse, told the crowd the legislation is good for children. “Many parents have sick leave but cannot take off to see a doctor or take care of their children. This could be avoided with paid sick days,” Hessel said. Renee Parrish, prepared food worker at a DC Whole Foods (a non-union grocery chain), told her story of having a miscarriage at work and almost being written up for having to leave without prior notice. “My job is to prepare food and when I am sick and have to work, I put customers at risk,” Parrish said. “It is important that workers have paid sick days and do not get docked or punished for not giving advanced notice about wanting to take a day off,” Parrish said. –Report/photo by Andy Richards