Fighting for sick days

A statewide campaign called 10,000 Mothers Strong is advocating for a pending bill that would grant all Californians at least three days of paid sick leave each year.

The Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act would allow sick leave for illness, to care for a sick family member or as leave for domestic violence and sexual assault victims, according to California Public News Service. A report released by the nonprofit agency Next Generation found that only 61 percent of Americans working in the private sector receive paid sick leave; those with greater access to sick leave are often full-time, high-wage employees.

“This lack of earned sick days is a tremendous problem, straining the pocketbooks of working families, the health and well-being of workplaces and stores, and the sustainability of our health care system,” said Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego).