As yet another COVID-19 upswing makes its way across California, a bill in the state legislature could raise the minimum number of paid sick days for workers.
SB 616, introduced by State Sen. Lena Gonzalez, would increase the number of paid sick days from 3 to 7 annually, and expand how sick time is accrued.
“Regardless of where you work, regardless if you're full time or part time, regardless of the industry you work in, everyone should have the right to paid sick leave,” Gonzalez said.
The bill has support from a broad coalition of labor groups, including the California Labor Federation and the Service Employees International Union.
“In all the time that I’ve done this work, there’s no bill or no work that people are more passionate about than just the basic right to paid sick days,” said Jenya Cassidy, director of the California Work & Family Coalition, which co-sponsored the bill.
Opponents argue that providing seven days of sick leave annually would create an unreasonable cost for small business owners.
Gov. Gavin Newsom refused to say whether he would sign the bill if it passes, saying he supports the idea of paid sick leave, but “we just have to sort of balance those priorities against others in the short term.”
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