‘No boogers in my burger’ – Restaurant workers rally for paid sick leave law

March 30th, 2009

Laureshi Xihani (Waterbury Republican American)

Holding signs with messages like: “No boogers in my burger” and “No pink eye in my french fries,” a group of 14 protesters braved a cold wind Monday to rally support for paid sick leave legislation.

The group, mostly from the Connecticut Working Families Party, held a short protest in front of 378 Chase Ave., the former headquarters of the Connecticut Restaurant Association.

“They do not need to go to work to infect customers and fellow workers,” said Debra Noble, a member of Connecticut Working Families, a coalition of community organizations, labor unions and neighborhood activists. Noble said many restaurant workers go to work sick because they can’t afford to lose pay.

Business organizations are fighting the bill fiercely. They say it could end up hurting the workers it seeks to help by forcing their employers out of business.

Connecticut Working Families is backing the bill, which would force employers of 50 people or more to offer one hour of paid sick leave per 40 hours worked to those who have been employed for more than 120 days.

The measure would require employers to pay 52 hours of sick leave a year to their employees, which translates into a minimum of $416 per employee based on the $8-per-hour minimum wage.

The bill is strongly opposed by the Connecticut Restaurant Association and the Connecticut Business & Industry Association.

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