March 2, 2017
Contact: Kenza Hadj-Moussa, TakeAction Minnesota, 612-386-9556
Workers, faith communities, small businesses, and citizens will keep fighting
St. Paul— Tonight, the Minnesota House passed a bill that strips earned sick and safe time for 150,000 workers in St. Paul and Minneapolis. The vote came after weeks of public testimony against the Minnesota Chamber-backed measure, and strong opposition by DFL lawmakers on the House floor.
“People are pouring their hearts out. They’re saying we can’t survive on minimum wage, and earned sick and safe time affects our lives,” said Katie Drahos, a NOC member and retail worker. “The Chamber doesn’t have our best interest in mind. We need to remind them who buys their stuff: working people.”
Last year, workers passed earned sick and safe time ordinances in Minneapolis and St. Paul—after months of extensive input from community members, businesses, local elected officials, and nonprofits. The House bill is retroactive, changing the rules after they’re made.
“150,000 workers aren’t losing earned sick and safe time,” said Representative Erin Maye Quade on the House floor. “It’s being taken away.”
Statewide preemption undermines concrete progress. It hurts for low-wage workers, women, and workers of color. The bill will be heard in the Minnesota Senate next. Workers, faith communities, small businesses, and concerned citizens will continue to stand up for workers’ rights and local control.
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The preemption bill is opposed by AFSCME Council 5, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha, Children’s Defense Fund – Minnesota, CWA Minnesota State Council, East Central Area Labor Council, Gender Justice, Greater Minnesota Worker Center, ISAIAH, Jewish Community Action, Land Stewardship Project, Main Street Alliance of Minnesota, Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, Minnesota AFL-CIO, Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Minnesota Nurses Association, Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, North East Area Labor Council, Saint Paul Regional Labor Federation, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota State Council, Southeast Area Labor Council, TakeAction Minnesota, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 653, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1189, West Area Labor Council, and Working America.
