Sponsored by: Austin Folnagy, Klamath County on behalf of the Labor Caucus Approved: 03/15/2015
A RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON
WHEREAS eighty percent of people working low-paying jobs don’t have a single paid sick day; and
WHEREAS no one should be forced to work when they—or their dependents—are ill or injured; and
WHEREAS paid sick days make it so working class people can afford to stay home without risking their jobs; and
WHEREAS lack of paid sick days not only raises issues of job security and worker justice, but issues of public health as well; and
WHEREAS the City of Portland requires both paid and unpaid leave to accrue at a rate of 1 hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked; and
WHEREAS the City of Eugene passed a law that allows everyone working within the Eugene city limits to accrue paid sick time at work; and
WHEREAS providing paid sick leave benefits businesses through higher morale and productivity, less absenteeism, reduced spread of disease in the work place, fewer workplace accidents, and lower rates of turnover, thus offsetting employers’ direct costs:
NOW, THEREFORE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The Democratic Party of Oregon supports a state law requiring the accrual of 1 (one) hour of paid sick leave per 25 hours of work for all employees both full and part time with proration for work less than 25 hours per week.
Section 2: The Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon will forward a copy of this resolution to Oregon House Speaker and Senate President, appropriate members of the Oregon House and Senate, and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
Resolution submitted by Austin Folnagy, Klamath County on behalf of the Labor Caucus; Amended by the Platform Committee, 18 January 2015.
ADOPTED by the Democratic Party of Oregon on 15th day of March, 2015.
