Colorado’s workers won big this past month. Not only did we see the passage of Paid Sick Leave, but the House gave final passage to the (Colorado Partnership For Quality Jobs and Services Act HB 1153) for union rights for state employees. As a result, 28,000 state employees will have a seat at the table with their employer and be able to negotiate for better jobs and services. Essential state workers who supported and assisted Coloradans through the state’s shutdown will be able to fight for higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions.
The good news continued through June with 2,400 janitors in SEIU Local 105 celebrating a one-year contract extension. Janitors who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic will now receive PPE and other health and safety protections, pay increases, and additional provisions that can be found on SEIU Local 105’s website.
In other good news: Paid Sick Leave was passed by the legislature and sent to the Governor for his signature.. Effective January 1, 2021, the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act mandates companies with over 16 employees provide one hour of sick leave per 30 hours worked (the requirement for smaller companies takes effect in 2022). Put simply, new hires working an average of 30 hours per week can earn their first paid sick day after roughly eight weeks. Paid sick days can be used not only for an employee to handle their personal health issues, but also to take care of sick family members. The Act also provides paid sick leave, available immediately, for COVID-related reasons. This is only scratching the surface of the benefits provided by the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, information on additional measures within the act can be found at the National Law Review.