Late last night, I voted no on House Bill 4002, which watered down the Earned Sick Time Act that was originally slated to go into effect today. Read my thread for some background and why I chose to vote no. #mileg🧵 www.freep.com/story/news/p... - ThreadSky

stephanielilychang.bsky.social • 12 days ago

Late last night, I voted no on House Bill 4002, which watered down the Earned Sick Time Act that was originally slated to go into effect today.

Read my thread for some background and why I chose to vote no. #mileg🧵

https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/20/michigan-senate-passes-paid-sick-leave-legislation/78983969007/

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stephanielilychang.bsky.social•12 days ago

I appreciate the hard work and differing perspectives of my Democratic colleagues who voted yes, but I felt strongly that the several changes to the act take away important benefits and protections from workers.

stephanielilychang.bsky.social•12 days ago

Here are a few reasons why I voted no:

The law that was originally slated to go into effect included a private right of action (if a worker is being mistreated by their employer with regard to earned paid sick time, that worker could take their employer to court).

stephanielilychang.bsky.social•12 days ago

Private right of action is a critical tool for accountability on most other worker rights, ensuring that the law has "teeth."

In HB 4002, the private right of action was REMOVED from the law. That means that the legislature chose to take away this important accountability mechanism from workers.

stephanielilychang.bsky.social•12 days ago

HB 4002 now will allow employers to wait 120 days before a new employee can use earned paid sick time. The law that was slated to go into effect included this provision at 90 days. Employers could choose to make employee(s) wait one extra month before they can take time off to get better.

stephanielilychang.bsky.social•12 days ago

Well-intentioned language to allow flexibility for employers whose employees set their own schedules is written in a way that includes retail or gig workers who technically set their own schedules but may be forced by their employer to work more hours than they freely would have chosen.

stephanielilychang.bsky.social•12 days ago

If this goes unaddressed, some vulnerable workers will be left without protections and benefits they deserve.

Thank you to Mothering Justice for their hard work for over a decade on earned paid sick time, along with so many labor and community partners.

cynbelterreus.bsky.social•12 days ago

Thank you and some others for voting against this and the wage bill. I am quite disappointed in the Dems who did push forward on making these changes.

It seemed to largely be capitulation to businesses (and GOP) who were fear mongering.

stephanielilychang.bsky.social•12 days ago

I appreciate this. I'm glad the majority of Senate & House Dems voted no but also understand the reasons why our colleagues chose to vote yes.

We will continue our advocacy!!

proudguy.bsky.social•12 days ago

GREAT👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏👏👏🌞🌞🌞

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