Status of L.D. 1665

By now you may have heard the news: the Maine Legislature will not take up a bill to provide paid sick days for Maine workers. Without support from some members of the labor committee the sponsor, Libby Mitchell, committed to making sure this committee doesn’t leave Maine people with nothing, proposed an amendment where workers will be protected against being fired simply for illness related absence.

At the Lobby – certainly we’re disappointed. Despite clear benefits to people and businesses, today the Labor Committee rejected a bill to establish the critical protection of paid sick days for Maine people. It’s a major blow to Maine workers and their families. Maine voters, nearly 90% of whom support enacting paid sick days, may indeed see this legislative session conclude with no new protections for themselves and their families.

As for the proposed amendment, certainly, it’s a way forward that everyone can agree on – no one should be fired simply for following doctor’s advice and staying home when ill. The fear of losing wages is bad enough – but losing your entire future livelihood is an unimaginable risk for most of us. Meanwhile, we and the 40 organizational members of Maine’s Work and Family Coalition will continue to advocate for policies, such as paid sick days, that meet the needs of today’s working families

The Labor committee will have its fourth work session on the bill and will likely vote on this amendment today at 2:00. We encourage your support in moving this amendment forward, and look forward to you activism the future when we once-and-for-all achieve the necessary workplace protection of paid sick days for all Maine workers!

Stay tuned for updates this afternoon!