Party for Paid Sick Days Tuesday in Tacoma

TACOMA — Some 40,000 breadwinners in Tacoma — or 2 in 5 workers — have no paid sick leave. That means when they or their children get sick, they have to go to work anyway or they lose a day’s wages, or even their job.

The Healthy Tacoma coalition is supporting a city ordinance similar to the one approved in Seattle that will make sure that every worker in Tacoma can earn paid sick days on the job.

Union members and their families in the Tacoma area are invited to join local businesses, families and neighbors for Healthy Tacoma’s Parking Lot Party to let the city’s leaders know that their constituents support a Paid Sick Days ordinance. It will be on Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 2502 6th Ave. in Tacoma. (Download and share the event flier.)

Ensuring every worker in Tacoma can earn paid sick days will improve economic security, public health and business productivity. Paid sick days will help:

• Build family economic security by ensuring workers can care for their health needs without losing a day’s wages or even their job.

• Protect public health by encouraging sick workers and children to stay home, away from co-workers, school, and customers.

• Lower health care costs by enabling workers to seek preventative care and early treatment for themselves, their children, and elderly parents.

• Create healthier workplaces, and more productive and profitable businesses by limiting the spread of disease, reducing the potential for workplace accidents, and boosting employee productivity, morale and commitment.

Nearly two-thirds of Tacoma voters agree that Paid Sick Days are good for our businesses and families. So come out on Tuesday night — and bring your friends and neighbors — to enjoy food, music, games and fun.

For more information, contact Nathe Lawver at 253-973-3765. Learn more at the Healthy Tacoma website.