In an election that has caused significant concern in so many communities regarding the fight for justice, there was a clear and significant victory for millions of workers and their loved ones: by wide margins, voters in Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska have voted to enact a state level paid sick time law. In Nebraska, paid sick time won by a margin of almost three-to-one, securing victory by almost 50 percentage points.
Now, 19 states, in addition to more than a dozen localities across the country, guarantee paid sick time as a fundamental workplace right. Alaska and Missouri’s new laws will also gradually increase the states’ minimum wage to $15. All three initiatives will ensure workers employed by large employers can earn up to 56 hours of paid sick time a year, while workers employed by smaller employers can earn up to 40 hours a year.
A Better Balance helped draft all three policies and worked closely with our state partners Nebraska Appleseed, the Alaska AFL-CIO, and Missouri Jobs with Justice in advocating for their passage.
The following is a statement from A Better Balance President Inimai Chettiar:
“This election, voters in Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska made their voices heard and overwhelmingly said yes to paid sick time. Now, millions more individuals will be covered by paid sick time, a critical protection that enables workers to take care of their health and that of their loved ones, without sacrificing a paycheck. And as the results of these elections show, paid sick time is a winning issue that is overwhelmingly beneficial for families and popular among voters across party lines.
We urge Congress to follow the lead of the now 19 states that have established paid sick time and prioritize the Healthy Families Act in 2025. A Better Balance looks forward to working with our partners to support implementation of these three new laws and building upon this victory in every corner of the country. In an uncertain time for workplace justice at the federal level, we know that state-level victories like these will continue to play a critical role in advancing new rights for workers and caregivers. State advances also show federal policymakers a path forward for popular, common-sense measures to ensure workers can care for themselves and their loved ones.”
