SEATTLE -- It comes as little surprise that paid sick days have received overwhelming public support in Seattle. But until now, it's been difficult to say with precision just how strong that support really is.
Released Wednesday, a poll conducted in late August shows more than two-thirds of likely Seattle voters favor the Paid Sick Days ordinance that passed out of the Seattle City Council Health Committee on August 10.
The poll reports 69 percent of voters support the current ordinance, while just 22 percent oppose the measure.
The poll also asked how a candidate's support of the paid sick days ordinance would affect voter's decisions on election day, to which more than four in ten respondents said they would be more inclined to support a mayoral (48 percent more likely) or city council (44 percent more likely) candidate who was in favor of the sick leave proposal. Only 20 percent were turned off by the stance.
"In tough economic times, workers are vulnerable and cannot afford to lose income or risk being disciplined simply because they have the flu or a child needs medical care. So many go to work sick because they do not have paid sick days," said Marilyn Watkins, spokesperson for the Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce. "Rebuilding the middle class, strengthening families' economic security, and giving all children the opportunity to thrive requires common-sense protections like paid sick days."
The ordinance passed by the Health Committee was modeled on the common-ground proposal crafted by Seattle workers, local small businesses, faith, labor and community groups. The proposal is set to come to the full Seattle City Council for a vote on September 12.
To view more information on the poll and its results, click here.
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