Editorials / Opinion

Seattle Times letters to the editor

Law would affect low-wage workers, create health risks

In a time when working Americans are logging more hours than ever before, it is unfortunate that the state Senate has passed Senate Bill 5726, which would limit the city of Seattle’s authority to require businesses to provide sick leave to their employees [“State Senate passes bill limiting Seattle sick leave law,” seattletimes.com, March 11].

This law would primarily affect minimum-wage workers who do not receive health insurance through their employer. Additionally, it creates an undue health risk for everyone as sick employees (many of whom work in food service) are more likely to go to work when they are sick because they cannot afford to lose a day’s wages.

Our elected officials have bent over backward to stimulate business growth, oftentimes at the expense of working Americans. SB 5726 is no exception to this. Costco has showed us that it’s possible to provide a living wage for its workers. Now is the time for our elected officials to butt out and allow the city of Seattle to hold its businesses to the same standard.

–Mike Martin, Seattle