Improved paid sick leave for workers across the state

Starting January 1, 2018

We’re raising standards and making a difference across the state.

Because of our work on Initiative 1433 all workers across the state will have access to paid sick and safe leave starting January 1, 2018.  As union members we already have contract protections that provide sick leave. Under the new law we’ve protected and even improved our standards in many workplaces. And now we’ve raised the standard so that ALL workers across the state can take care of themselves without fear of losing income.

The only way for us to keep those standards and protect our jobs is when we’re all members of the union together—it takes all of us!

Here’s what the new law means for us:

We can care for ourselves and our families Employees may use paid sick leave to care for themselves or their family members; when the employees’ workplace or their child’s school or place of care has been closed by a public official for any health-related reason; for absences that qualify for leave under the state’s Domestic Violence Leave Act. Employees are protected from employer retaliation when they use their sick leave in compliance with the law.

Our contract language is protected or improved. If a workplace has a sick leave accrual rates or standards below the state law, all workers will automatically be brought up to the standard law effective January 1. If a workplace has sick leave accrual rates or standards that exceed the new state law, the current accruals and standards will remain in effect.

All workers now accrue sick leave. Most employees must accrue paid sick leave at a minimum rate of one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked. This includes part-time workers.  In many workplaces our accrual rate is already higher and protected.

We have certainty when we can start using sick leave. Employees are entitled to use accrued paid sick leave beginning on the 90th calendar day after the start of their employment. For workplaces that currently allow use of paid leave before 90 days, that timeline will remain in effect.

We can carry sick leave over into the following year. Unused paid sick leave of 40 hours or less must be carried over to the following year. In many workplace contracts across the state our standards are much higher and will remain in effect. Employers are allowed to provide employees with more generous carry over and accrual policies.