For Immediate Release
Contact: Eric Fought, eric@takeactionminnesota.org, 612-223-4744
MINNEAPOLIS (May 19, 2016) — At a press conference on the steps of Minneapolis City Hall this morning, faith leaders from throughout Minneapolis representing the Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions urged the City Council to pass the earned sick and safe time ordinance currently under consideration.
“There is a moral crisis facing our city,” said Pastor Laurie Eaton of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. “The City Council has the opportunity to lead the way in improving the health of workers, businesses and our community overall by passing the strongest earned sick and safe time ordinance possible. We join together today as people of faith to encourage the Council to take that bold step.”
A 2015 study found that 42% of workers in Minneapolis lacked access to paid sick time. Over the past year, workers, small business owners and community leaders came forward and shared their experience of the need to pass a strong safe and sick time ordinance. Through the process, compromise was reached among the diverse membership of the Workplace Partnership Group, leading to nearly unanimous support of the group’s final recommendations.
“Many of those who have testified before the City Council and who have told their story publicly come from my community, the Somali community in Minneapolis,” said Hassan Jama of the Islamic Association of North America. “This is our home, and we are pleased to be a part of a city that is growing and vibrant. But we know that there is a moral crisis facing our city, as racial and economic inequity keep all of us from our full potential. We experience those struggles together. As people of faith, we can no longer simply talk about addressing such inequity, we have to push for action.”
The Council heard public testimony in a special committee meeting yesterday afternoon and is expected to vote on the the measure next week.
“As faith leaders, we know that strong families are the moral foundation of a healthy society,” said Rabbi Michael Adam Latz of Shir Tikvah. “Today we call upon the City Council to live up to its moral commitment to the citizens of this great city and treat the workers who make our economy vibrant with the dignity they deserve. Over the course of the last year, the voices of those workers have been heard through a transparent public process that has brought us to a solution that works. Now it’s time to move forward by passing the strongest ordinance possible, one that puts the combined health of our families, communities and businesses first.”
“More than 123,000 Minneapolis workers, many of whom are women and people of color, are being forced to make tough choices,” said Pastor Paul Slack of New Creation Church and President of ISAIAH. “Right now in Minneapolis, parents are having to choose between sending a kid to school sick or missing out on a much-needed paycheck. Others are having to choose between going to work sick or taking care of themselves. These families can’t wait. The choice before the City Council is to tangibly address racial and economic disparities and stop ignoring the reality facing thousands of people in our city.”
This morning’s event was organized by ISAIAH and Jewish Community action.
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TakeAction Minnesota is a statewide people’s network of individual and organizational members working collaboratively to raise the voices of Minnesotans in their own communities to advance social, racial and economic justice. The organization has offices in St. Paul, Duluth and Grand Rapids.
