Twin Cities Food Service Workers Push For Earned Sick Time
ST PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – On Monday, Twin Cities food service workers, in conjunction with Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, are calling for earned sick time for all Twin Cities employees.
They presented their case at a press conference on the sidewalk outside of Seven Corners Chipotle. Neighborhoods Organizing for Change said food service workers, including former Chipotle workers, will "fight for the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul to pass common sense earned safe and sick time policies."
The press conference was timed to occur during Chipotle's nationwide closure to discuss health safety following a series of norovirus, E. coli and salmonella outbreaks across the country. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, from 2004 through 2013, "at least 208 outbreaks of foodborne illness were linked to employees while working sick."
Studies from the Institute for Women's Research report that 29 percent of service workers in Minneapolis and 34 percent of service workers in St. Paul have access to earned sick time.
A study from The Main Street Alliance cites improved productivity and morale, as well as reduced employer health care costs and risks to public health, as the benefits of earned sick time.
Responding to the push from Twin Cities food service workers, the St. Paul City Council unanimously passed a resolution to form an Earned Sick and Safe Time Task Force on Feb. 3. Residents, employees, community organizations and business owners can all apply to serve on the task force.
The task force will discuss extending earned sick and safe time to all St. Paul employees, according to the Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity Department and Commission. In addition to the task force, the commission will hold several community conversations to discuss earned sick and safe time.
Nationwide, four states, one county and 21 cities have adopted earned sick time laws. With these new efforts, the Twin Cities may add to that total.
Community Conversations
- Tuesday, Feb. 9, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m at the Arlington Community Center
- Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Wellstone Community Center
- Saturday, Feb. 20, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Wellstone Community Center
- Wednesday, Feb. 24, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Hallie Q. Brown Center