Petitions Submitted To Put Paid Sick Time On Ballot

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ballots-18

The Michigan Time to Care Coalition has turned in over 382,000 signatures to the Bureau of Elections, more than enough to qualify for the November ballot. The ballot measure would provide nearly two million workers in Michigan the chance to take a day off when they’re sick or need to care for an ill child. The “Earned Sick Time Act” would guarantee employees at least one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. Proponents of the ballot proposal argue that after years of waiting for action from elected officials, the people have stood up and have taken this issue into their own hands. Many employers already offer their workers paid sick time, but it is not a requirement.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses is among the opponents, with the Michigan chapter saying the proposal will result in the loss of 18,000 jobs. The Michigan Restaurant Association is also opposed, saying the proposal has been funded by “dark money” from Washington, DC and would be the “most extreme paid leave time mandate in the country” if approved.