THE WMALF & PVWC LAUNCH THE COVID-19 SOLIDARITY PLEDGE TO EXTEND PAID SICK LEAVE

THE WESTERN MASS AREA LABOR FEDERATION & PIONEER VALLEY WORKERS CENTER LAUNCH THE COVID-19 SOLIDARITY PLEDGE TO EXTEND PAID SICK LEAVE TO ALL

Millions of U.S. low-wage workers have to make the impossible choice between staying home and foregoing the wages they rely on to support their families, or going to work and risking further exposure and spread of the COVID-19 virus. This is particularly true for workers in the service, care, and gig-economy who are working jobs that lack basic benefits: 78% of American workers live paycheck to paycheck. For example, the food industry—including farmworkers, fast food workers, restaurant workers, supermarket workers, and meatpackers —is the largest sector in the U.S. economy. Yet the median wage for food workers is just $10 an hour. An estimated 40% do not have enough money to cover a $400 emergency expense.[1]

We call on all employers in Western Mass to prioritize the health of their workers. At a minimum, employers should extend emergency paid sick leave to their workers, adopt practical measures in the workplace to reduce exposure to COVID-19, and allow vulnerable workers with preexisting conditions that put them at greater risk to stay home with no threat to their job.

The Western Mass Area Labor Federation and Pioneer Valley Workers Center will be partnering on the COVID-19 Solidarity Pledge, which calls on ALL employers to extend paid sick leave to all workers.  Employers can sign on to the Convid-19 Solidarity Pledge at the following url: https://forms.gle/hiXc35Dtu9MX3Szq9. Please share widely with your networks. 

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) poses a very real threat to workers around the world, in our country, and in our Commonwealth.  The spread of the virus is likely, and physical distancing is the best defense for limiting the spread. Recognizing this, the WMALF will also be postponing all our upcoming committee meetings until further notice. We encourage employers who are unsure of what precautionary measures to adopt to see the resources available at the AFL-CIO website.

COVID-19 Solidarity Pledge for Employers

Under MA law, workers at companies with over 11 employees earn a minimum 1 hour paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, and up to 40 hours total sick time per year. The regulation also states that employees need to tell their employer if they are using sick time but do not need a doctor’s note unless they are out of work for 3 or more days.

WITH THIS PLEDGE, I commit ensuring that all of my employees will receive these sick-time benefits, even if my shop has fewer than 11 employees.  I commit to advocating for all of my employees to receive unemployment insurance in the event that our business is forced to temporarily close.I commit to provide 14 additional days if there is a public health outbreak or emergency.*Finally, I commit to working with my staff to ensure every measure is taken to protect their health and safety in this time of heightened susceptibility to contagion.  This pledge is sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Workers Center and the Western Mass Area Labor Federation. If you have questions or ideas please contact us at pvworkerscenter.org or organizer@wmalf.org or call at 413-570-3060*We will work to push for financial support to be made available for small businesses that pay workers the additional 14 paid sick days and if they experience any hardship as a result of the public health crisis.