Legislation that would ensure all working Oregonians access to paid sick leave received endorsement Monday from the State's labor commissioner. The State Senate and House are both considering bills that would allow workers to accrue one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. This would max out at about seven days a year. Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian:
Avakian: "Paid sick days are especially important when you look at low-wage workers. The gap is even greater than for other workers. Seventy-one percent of low-wage workers lack sick days, and that has a disproportionate effect on woman and people of color."
More than 300 people spoke to the measures at a joint Senate-House public hearing held Monday. Both bills now await work sessions in their respective committees.