Women Gather in San Jose to Support Paid Sick Leave

"They should have the right to stay home, take care of themselves, get better, and especially if they're working in the health or food sector," said State Assemblywoman Fiona Ma of San Francisco who is sponsoring AB-2716, the paid sick-leave bill.

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (KCBS)  -- An organization representing working women gathered in San Jose Saturday in support of paid sick days for all workers.

The group, 9 to 5, a National Association of Working Women, is encouraging state lawmakers to pass a bill that would provide have employers provide one paid hour of sick leave for every 30 hours of work to all workers, including temporary.

“They should have the right to stay home, take care of themselves, get better, and especially if they’re working in the health or food sector,” said State Assemblywoman Fiona Ma of San Francisco who is sponsoring AB-2716, the paid sick-leave bill.

A similar bill was killed last year amid opposition from business groups that estimated the bill would burden employers with $4.5 million in new costs over the next five years.

The association will be in Sacramento Monday to lobby for the bill.