Workers Share Their Stories for Earned Sick and Safe Time

MPIRG event hopes to continue momentum for earned sick and safe time policy for Duluth.

While the Duluth City Council’s Earned Sick and Safe Time taskforce continues research on the issue, one organization is hoping to keep the momentum of the campaign going.

The Minnesota Public Interest Group at UMD hosted an event where workers shared their stories for paid time off.

The policy would provide paid leave in case of illness, sexual assault, and domestic violence to workers who often have to choose between health and pay.

“When we have people going to work sick or sending their kids to school sick, it becomes a public health issue, but it also contributes to the cycle of poverty when people are not able to get to work and not able to pay their rent or get groceries,” said Christy Atkinson, MPIRG student coordinator.

The stories will then be shared before the Duluth City Council.