It has never been more obvious that our communities need essential protections by ensuring that every worker has access to an adequate number of employer-paid sick days. 

Whether it's the seasonal flu or COVID-19, if workers have to forego income to follow the advice of public health officials to stay home when ill, millions of us will have no other choice than to go to work sick. This is a threat to our economy and a public health risk for everyone.

Will you join our day of action for paid sick days this Saturday, July 18?

Click here to let us know you’re coming. 

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Public opinion polls in Canada and legislative victories in the US show that momentum for paid sick days is growing. 

We recently told you about legislative victories in New York State where the government was pushed to implement permanent, employer-paid sick leave and additional paid days during public health outbreaks. 

Well, we have even more good news for you. Just this week, the Colorado state legislature adopted one of the most comprehensive paid sick day bills in North America:

The law, once fully implemented, will provide a right to paid sick time to all workers in the state, regardless of industry or business size. Such universal coverage is especially important for low-wage workers and service industry workers—disproportionately women and people of color—who are among the least likely to have access to paid sick time. …

Colorado’s new legislation establishes a permanent right to paid sick time. Workers in Colorado will be able to earn, based on hours worked, up to 48 hours of paid sick time a year that can be used for personal or family health needs and needs related to domestic abuse and sexual assault. The law also provides an additional, up to 80 hours of paid sick leave during a declared public health emergency. Importantly, the law has an inclusive family definition, no waiting period on use of accrued sick time, and strong enforcement measures. Click here to read more.

If Colorado can do it - so can we! 

Sign up now to join the July 18: Day of Action for Paid Sick Days! 
Click here to find out how you can take action

What can you do?

• Decorate your street, your balcony, your workplace, or your neighbourhood to remind everyone that employer-paid sick days are an essential protection. Click here to download posters. 
• Use the hashtag #PaidSickLeaveSavesLives on social media to share a picture of yourself phoning your MPP/MLA (you can use the phone script available here), holding a sign, or chalking your street.
• Visit your local elected representative to demand legislated, employer-paid sick days for all.

There are also events being planned across the country - join one where you can (scroll down).

Nova Scotia: 

Halifax - Saturday, July 18 at 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm (ADT)

Meet outside Sobeys, 2651 Windsor Street

Hosted by Halifax Workers' Action Centre

For more information or to RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

Saskatchewan: 

Online action

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION

CLICK HERE TO SHARE IT ON FACEBOOK  

British Columbia: 

Vancouver - Saturday, July 18, at 11:00 am to 1:30 pm (PDT)

1070 - 1641 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC

Hosted by Retail Action Network

For more information or to RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

Victoria - Saturday, July 18, at 11:00 am to 1:30 pm (PDT)

880 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC

Hosted by Retail Action Network

For more information or to RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

Ontario: 

Barrie - Saturday, July 18 at 11:30 to 1:00 pm (EDT)

Meridian Place, 30 Simcoe Street, Barrie, ON

Hosted by Fight for $15 and Fairness - Barrie 

For more information or to RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

King City - Saturday, July 18 at 11:30 to 12:00 noon (EDT)

Stephen Lecce’s MPP office - 2220 King Road, King City, ON

Hosted by Fight for $15 and Fairness and Decent Work and Health Network

For more information or to RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

Toronto - Saturday, July 18 at 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (EDT)

Robin Martin’s MPP office - 2882 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON 

Hosted by Fight for $15 and Fairness and Decent Work and Health Network

For more information and to RSVP and share on Facebook, click here. 

Toronto - Saturday, July 18 at 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (EDT)

Tim Hortons, 1084 Islington Ave, Toronto, ON

Hosted by Fight for $15 and Fairness and Decent Work and Health Network

For more information or to RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

Paid sick days actions will also take place on Tuesday, July 21! 

Scarborough - Tuesday, July 21 at 10:00 am to 11:30 am (EDT)

Christina Mitas’s MPP office -  2063 Lawrence Ave. East, Scarborough

Hosted by OPSEU Local 5111

For more information or to RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

Scarborough - Tuesday, July 21 at 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm (EDT)

Raymond Cho’s MPP office - 4559 Sheppard Ave. East, Scarborough

Hosted by OPSEU Local 5111

For more information or to RSVP and share on Facebook, click here.

Join us for the next decent work organizing meeting on July 21! 

Every four weeks, the Fight for $15 and Fairness, along with the Ontario Federation of Labour, host online organizing meetings. This is where we share experiences and plan actions - and we need your input! 

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00 pm EDT. Register now by clicking here. To RSVP and share on Facebook, click here. 

Save the dates! The upcoming online organizing meetings are scheduled for August 18 at 7:00 pm EDT; September 15 at 7:00 pm EDT; and October 13 at 7:00 pm EDT.

See you at the next one!