Urge Congress to Pass Paid Leave and Paid Sick Time.
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Dear Friend,

I came across this quote recently that says, “The world’s favorite season
is the spring. All things are possible in May.” [ [link removed] ] And as we enter June,
a saying by Fabienne Fredrickson comes to mind, “the day you plant the
seed isn't the day you eat the fruit. Be patient and stay the course.”
Now, as we continue on the path to passing a national paid leave program,
I wanted to reflect on some of the wonderful things that have recently
happened in May 2023 in support of moms and families like yours and mine.

[1]→ Let’s continue to make strides: Tell your members of Congress to pass
the FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act, which were introduced in May
2023!

Late last month, advocates, workers, moms with their children and our
champions in Congress came together on the lawn in front of the United
States Capitol Building to talk about the critical need for paid family
and medical leave and for earned paid sick time. Every day, families face
impossible choices; and we all know that workers shouldn’t have to choose
between putting food on the table or taking care of one’s family. This is
not a choice anyone should have to make. 

Our legislative champions: Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Kristin
Gilibrand, Senator Patty Murray, Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative
Rosa DeLauro are keenly aware of how vulnerable families are and how vital
paid leave and earned paid sick time is for families, that’s why on May
17th, flanked by staff members of MomsRising, they reintroduced the FAMILY
ACT and the Healthy Families Act, so families like yours and mine aren’t
forced to make those impossible choices. This is huge! 

[ [link removed] ]→ Let’s continue to make strides: Tell your members of Congress to pass
the updated FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act ASAP.

The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act has been updated and
improved which means regardless of employer size, all workers, including
those who are self-employed or part-time, will have access to 12 weeks of
PAID leave for when a new baby or child arrives or a serious health crisis
strikes themselves or a close loved one. Additionally, in good news, the
lowest paid workers will be able to earn 85% of their normal wages AND it
ensures that workers are protected from retaliation and those workers who
have been at their jobs for more than 90 days have the right to be
reinstated after their leave. [2] 

The Healthy Families Act would establish a national standard and allow
workers in businesses with 15 or more employees to earn up to 7 job
protected paid sick days each year. Workers can use their earned paid sick
days to recover from their own illness, to care for a sick family member,
for preventive care or to even attend school meetings related to a child’s
disability or health condition. Another significant, great component of
the policy allows workers who are survivors of stalking, sexual assault or
domestic violence to use their paid sick days to recover or locate
assistance related to an incident.

[ [link removed] ]→ Let’s continue to make strides: Tell your members of Congress to pass
the updated FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act right now.

The bottom line is that earned paid sick days and paid family and medical
leave are two policies that are beneficial for families, businesses and
our economy. Workers deserve to take the time they need to care for
themselves and their loved ones when needed. They deserve to not have to
put off necessary health care for themselves or their families because
they lack paid time to care. They deserve time to bond with a new child,
recover from childbirth, take care of themselves, their families and their
chosen families.

Right now, without these key policies in place, working moms, parents and
family members, including many Black and brown women who spend
considerably more time providing care to others, encounter significant
employment related costs. For instance, Black mothers incur lower
employment-related care costs on average than other groups; however, their
losses often lead to economic hardship because many Black workers earn
relatively low wages. Lifetime caregiving-related earning losses are also
high for Hispanic mothers and less-educated mothers. 

Overall, lifetime caregiving-related earning losses represent 26% of
potential earnings for mothers who did not complete high school and 19% of
potential earnings for Hispanic mothers. [3] The United States lacks
policies that support workers and as such it forces them to make
impossible choices. 

[ [link removed] ]It doesn’t have to be this way. Studies show that taking these steps
lifts our economy, [4] helps our businesses, opens the door for families
to thrive, and helps close the wage gaps. [ [link removed] ]

The bottom line: Moms and caregivers are working hard and deserve leaders
who have our back. Having our backs means advancing the policies that give
us the tools to build a good life for ourselves, for our children, and for
our families– and to lift the economy at the same time. We know how to
solve the care crisis we collectively face. It’s by passing policies like
the FAMILY Act (paid family and medical leave) and Healthy Families Act
(sick days).

With your help, we were able to get the FAMILY Act and the Healthy
Families Act updated and reintroduced. I don’t know about you but I can’t
wait to see what’s in store for the next 7 months! Now, let’s continue to
work together and make strides in pushing our leaders in Congress to pass
comprehensive paid family and medical leave and paid sick time! 

Thanks for all of your support, 

--Namatie, Ruth, Kristin, and the whole MomsRising.org & MamásConPoder
Team

P.S.– Personal experiences are powerful and can make a HUGE difference in
helping elected leaders understand how public policies impact families so
they can move change. We want to hear more from YOU! Can you take a second
and follow the link below to share your personal story about how having,
or NOT having, access to job-protected paid leave or affordable, quality
child care has impacted your family?
[5][link removed]

References: 

[1] Edwin Way Teale. North With the Spring (ed. 1951)
[2] [ [link removed] ]Factsheet: The Family And Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY)
[3] [ [link removed] ]Lifetime Employment-Related Costs to Women of Providing Family Care
[4] [ [link removed] ]The Economic Impact of Equal Pay by State
[5] [ [link removed] ]Understanding the “Family Gap” by in Pay for Women with Children


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