Last Election Day, Alaskans voted on their ballots to make a statewide paid sick time program (as well as a $15 minimum wage) a reality. Today, the paid sick time provision of Ballot Measure 1 takes effect; starting this month, workers in the state will begin earning 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. We provided drafting, policy, and legal support to the coalition that worked on the ballot measure, and are thrilled to see it implemented. Our resources can help workers learn more about their new rights.
In addition to providing covered workers time off to recover from illness, the law also provides time off to workers who need to care for a sick child or loved one, including chosen family members. No longer will Alaskans be forced to sacrifice part of their paycheck or risk getting others sick when illness strikes, and as we have seen through the numerous other state paid sick time programs in effect across the country, businesses, families, and the public will all reap the benefits of this law.
In directly passing this law via ballot initiative, Alaskans have echoed what has rung true in states across the country: paid sick time is a common-sense protection that is overwhelmingly popular among voters regardless of political party or geography. We congratulate our partners at Alaska AFL-CIO and the broad coalition that advocated for Ballot Measure 1 on this victory.