Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

Artists leaders and artist-run groups addressing policy issues that affect artists in Massachusetts

Get Your Vote On! Statewide Ballot Question #4

There are a lot of people on the ballot come the Nov. 4 General Election. All of our state representatives and senators, along with are members of U.S. congress are up for election. One of the state’s U.S. Senate and the offices of Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and State Treasurer are all being vied for. (To find out where you vote, go here: http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.aspx).

But it’s more than people on the ballots. Four high profile ballot questions will be decided by the voters as well. We’ve looked at Question #1, Question #2, and Question #3. Now let’s peruse Question #4.

Question #4: Earned Sick Time for Employees

The fourth ballot question seeks to entitle all employees in Massachusetts to earn and use sick time. If passed, all employees working for employers with more than 11 employees would be able to earn and use up to 40 hours of paid sick time per calendar year. All employees of smaller employers would be able to earn and use up to 40 hours of unpaid sick time per calendar year.

The sick time could be used when one is sick, to care for a sick family member, and also to deal with the effects of domestic violence. Employers who retaliated against their employees for utilizing their earned sick time would be dealt with by the Attorney General’s office.

Proponents

Proponents argue that thousands of Massachusetts employees are currently forced to choose between going to work sick (or sending a sick child to school) and losing a day’s pay, or even their jobs. They argue the public health and financial benefits of having less sick people at work will be good for both employers and workers.

Opponents

Opponents claim small businesses are going to get hit with higher costs. Since active service jobs such as waiter, bartender, and desk coordinator are the types of jobs that currently lack earned sick time, employers of these workers would have fork over cash for fill-in personnel and for the sick time.

Earned sick time, where do you stand? Come Nov. 4, make your voice heard.

For more info on the ballot questions: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elebalquestinfo.htm

And don’t forget that the week after the election MALC will be holding its 8th Annual Artists Under The Dome Event at the State House.

Stayed tuned for more in depth election coverage!