Background
SEIU members won paid sick days through collective bargaining. But, we also know all workers need access to paid sick days.
For this reason, SEIU Local 2 joined the BC Federation of Labour and other organizations in calling for the government to implement 10 permanent paid sick days for all workers in BC.
On November 24, 2021, the BC Government announced it would implement 5 paid sick days in BC’s Employment Standards Act starting on January 1, 2022.
SEIU Local 2 shares the disappointment of the labour community that 5 days still falls short of what workers need. Months of consultations between the BC government and workers showed that workers prefer 10 paid sick days, in addition to being supported by research and examples from other countries that have implemented 10 paid sick days.
Watch the video below and listen to what SEIU Members across the Lower Mainland have to say about the importance of having paid sick days for all workers:
It’s time to stop waiting and act now.
Sign the BC Federation of Labour Petition for 10 Paid Sick Days
Tell your MLA: BC workers need 10 paid sick days!
Next Steps
Currently, we are waiting on more details of how this new legislation will be implemented and how it will affect SEIU Local 2 collective agreements which include both paid sick and personal days. We will be in touch with all members in the New Year as soon as we have more information on this.
Meanwhile, SEIU members will continue to fight along side the BC Federation of Labour for 10 paid permanent sick days. We know that paid sick days will not only keep the public safe but also allow SEIU members to focus on winning other improvements in collective bargaining that are important to workers, such as wage increases and better health and dental benefits.
BC FEDERATION OF LABOUR: Proposal on Paid Sick Leave
You can also read the proposal prepared by the BC Federation of Labour in the summer of 2020 that lays out the argument for 10 paid permanent sick days in BC.