Mandatory Sick Leave Bill Moves Ahead in Legislature -
Marie Kuhn (WNPR)

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Joe Dinkin of Connecticut Working Families says the results show high approval from all political affiliations.

"When employees have to go to work sick, they're more likely to affect co-workers or customers, and less likely to have access to preventative health services that in the long run will help reduce cost for businesses, for workers, and for the State. You know, eighty seven percent is a pretty high number of people that are supporting this measure, but I guess that should come as no surprise since a hundred percent of Connecticut residents get sick."

Supporters Rally for Paid Sick Days
Rob Varnon (CT Post)

We're facing a bigger problem than just a few employers who don't give out sick days, Dr. Bruce Gould said Wednesday, the same day supporters of a bill to force employers to offer workers sick days rallied in Hartford.

"We have to look at the whole system and re-engineer it," Gould said.

Gould, medical director of Hartford-based Bergdorf Health Center, said there are problems with access to insurance and primary health care in Connecticut and America, and there is a need to solve these problems.

"And part of that is having access to sick days," he said.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would require employers with 25 or more employees to grant them paid sick days.

Gould said it's been his experience that people without sick days tend to not seek care until they need to visit an emergency room.

Poll Says Most Residents Support Paid Sick Days
MetroNetworks

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A new poll says that 87-percent of state residents support a measure that would allow all workers in Connecticut to earn paid sick days. The poll was commissioned by the group Connecticut Working Families, and spokesman Joe Dinkin says it is good public policy.

The bill being considered by the legislature would allow all full and part time employees to earn one hour of sick time per 40-hours worked. The bill has passed the Labor and Judiciary committees, and must be approved by the Appropriations Committee in order to get a vote in the Senate and House this session.

Poll Shows Support for Paid Sick Leave Bill
Scott Whipple (New Britain Herald)

Everybody Benefits Coalition released a public opinion poll Wednesday showing broad support for a workplace standard that would allow workers to earn a minimum number of paid sick days.

Last week, the Connecticut General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee approved a landmark bill to improve public health and access to health care for low-wage workers. The Paid Sick Days bill, SB 217, approved by the judiciary committee by a vote of 21-8, would allow all employees in Connecticut to earn up to 6½ paid sick days per year.

The measure recently attracted support from moderate Democrats, as well as from state Sen. John Kissel, R-7th District, ranking member of the judiciary committee. Kissel voted for the bill and is a co-sponsor.

Poll: 88% of State Residents Support Paid Sick Days
Mary Ellen Godin (Meriden Record Journal)

A new public opinion poll shows heavy support for a workplace standard that allows all employees to earn a minimum amount of paid sick days.

The poll of 500 state residents was conducted by Bannon Communications Research in Washington, D.C. and sponsored by Connecticut Working Families.

According to the poll, 68.6 percent favor the idea strongly, 18.6 percent favor it mildly, with 8 percent opposed.

Poll Finds Majority of Voters Support Paid Sick Days
Christine Stuart (CTNewsJunkie)

The Connecticut Working Families Party released a poll Wednesday that showed 87 percent of the 500 Connecticut voters polled this April favor the idea of earning paid sick days.

“It is rare to see so many voters in any state support any kind of legislation,” Mark Bannon of Bannon Communications Research, the firm that conducted the poll said in a memo. The poll found 68.6 percent strongly favored the idea, 18.6 percent mildly favored it, while only 8 percent of the voters opposed it.

Working Families Party Executive Director Jon Green said this is the second year the bill has been introduced and he believes they have the votes to get it passed this year.