Paid sick days for a healthy Tacoma

The Coalition for a Healthy Tacoma is campaigning for paid sick days for the 41,000 of the city’s workers who currently lack that basic protection.

The coalition reports that 78 percent of Tacoma’s restaurant workers, 55 percent of its retail workers, and even 29 percent of its health care workers have no paid sick days. That means they either go to work sick, or stay home and lose pay – or even face discipline for absenteeism.

It’s a public health issue as well. Sneezing, coughing workers spread disease. Paid sick days protect the entire community.

The plan would provide one hour paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. Workers in small companies could accrue up to 40 hours of paid sick time; those in larger companies, up to 72 hours.