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!

Among them: American Cancer Society, Disability Rights Center, Equality Maine, League of Young Voters, Legal Services for the Elderly, Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center, Maine Center for Economic Policy, Maine Centers for Work and Community, Maine Children’s Alliance, Maine Civil Liberties Union, Maine Employment Lawyers Association, Maine Equal Justice Partners, Maine State Employees Association/SEIU, Maine State Nurses Association, Maine Women’s Health Campaign, Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, Women’s Law Section of the Maine State Bar…

Each have joined with the Maine Women’s Lobby to pass this much needed protection. The bottom line is that workers with family responsibilities (and that’s a lot of us!) shouldn’t fear discrimination on the job. While Maine law protects women who are preparing to welcome a new child into the world, there is no state or federal law to protect workers who have children or are caring for aging parents. As a result, you can be fired to refused promotion, simply based on *assumptions* that you have too many obligations at home.

It’s time to update our workplace standards to the needs of 21st century families. Join us in calling for the House of Representatives to pass L.D. 962. Please call your Representative at home, or call the State House and leave a message asking him or her to support the majority “Ought to Pass as Amended” committee report for An Act to Protect Family Caregivers. Just dial 800-423-2900 or contact us at info@mainewomen.org if you want help.

Thank you!

Corporate Voices for Working Families is the leading national business membership organization representing the private sector on public and corporate policy issues involving working families. A nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, improving the lives of working families by developing and advancing innovative policies that reflect collaboration among the private sector, government and other stakeholders.

Collectively their 50 partner companies, with annual net revenues of more than $1 trillion, employ more than 4 million individuals throughout all 50 states. 

Mrs. Obama gave a compelling speech (video below) commending the corporate partners and their business practices “giving employees flexibility and much needed support.” 

Click here to view the embedded video.

“This research is critical to empowering employers,” Mrs. Obama said.  ”This isn’t just about family balance it also makes workplaces stronger and more effective.”

Investing in these family supportive policies pays off for employers more than they may realize which, might explain, why the private, money making sector – caught on to the trend.