By 3-to-1 margin, Seattle voters favor Paid Sick Days ordinance

A new poll conducted in late August and released Wednesday shows that more than two-thirds of likely Seattle voters favor the Paid Sick Days ordinance that passed out of the Seattle City Council Health Committee on Aug. 10. Fully 69% of voters support the ordinance, while just 22% oppose the measure, the poll found.

The poll also asked how a candidate’s support of the paid sick days ordinance would affect voter’s decisions on election day, to which more than four in 10 respondents said they would be more inclined to support a mayoral (48% more likely) or city council (44% more likely) candidate who was in favor of the sick leave proposal. Only 20% were turned off by the stance.

“In tough economic times, workers are vulnerable and cannot afford to lose income or risk being disciplined simply because they have the flu or a child needs medical care. So many go to work sick because they do not have paid sick days,” said Marilyn Watkins, spokesperson for the Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce. “Rebuilding the middle class, strengthening families’ economic security, and giving all children the opportunity to thrive requires common-sense protections like paid sick days.”

The ordinance passed by the Health Committee was modeled on the common-ground proposal crafted by Seattle workers, local small businesses, faith, labor and community groups. The proposal is set to come to the full Seattle City Council for a vote on Monday, Sept. 12.

TAKE A STAND! All supporters of family economic security are urged to attend the Paid Sick Days Rally that day at 1:45 p.m. at City Hall Plaza, 600 4th Ave., followed by a march up the steps to attend the final vote. Click here for more information.