Ken Smith, Appleseed’s Economic Justice Program Director, testified in opposition to ❌LB698 because it would jeopardize the health and economic security of working Nebraskans and their families, and harm the overall health of our workforce and communities across the state. #neleg
Rosa’s story demonstrates exactly why ❌LB698 is so harmful. As she states in her closing testimony, “We need to respect what 75% of our voters supported, and protect paid sick time for all working families in our state.”
“I felt like running to my daughter’s side, but I also feared losing the job I much needed to cover basic expenses like food and rent,” Rosa shared. “No one should have to choose between paying their bills and taking care of their families and themselves.”
Rosa shared her story with the Business & Labor Committee. Years ago, while working at a manufacturing plant, Rosa got a call that her daughter was in the hospital with a life-threatening emergency. She was not allowed to leave work until she found someone to cover her shift.
Rosa Pinto, Community Organizer for Heartland Worker Center Omaha, also testified to the #NEleg in opposition to ❌LB698 and shared how she has seen Nebraska workers who need to recover from sickness and care for their loved ones, but can’t due to fear of losing their job or suffering retaliation.
Fewer than 80 days following the overwhelming passage of Initiative 436, ❌LB698 was introduced, which would narrow the new law’s scope, decrease the number of workers who would have access to paid sick leave, and eliminate one of its vital enforcement mechanisms.
Initiative 436 earned a majority of votes in 89 of our 93 counties and prevailed in every single legislative district. The stance of Nebraskans on this issue could not be clearer: working Nebraskans across the state deserve access to paid sick leave.
In November, over 662,000 Nebraskans from every corner of our state voted to implement paid sick leave protections for Nebraska workers. Initiative 436 passed with 75% of the vote, making it one of the most widely supported voter initiatives in our state’s history.
#NELeg
