G. Singleton
Robert Reich~33 million of our nation’s workers have no paid sick days.
Only in America do we call working people ‘essential’ but deny them paid sick leave.
Unprecedented 2023@rbreich Shame. Uncivilized.
𝘀𝘁𝘂𝘅☀️@rbreich Wow.. I think it's even mandetory here in the Netherlands 
Only if you're self-employed you need to insure for that but that's logical I guess
Tom Maxwell
SmokeyGeo@tommyyum @stux @rbreich economically, is there that much difference, when negotiating compensation, for the employer to include XYZ or not as opposed to salary? Just the same way, employers in the US include health insurance but economists largely agree that reduces the salary component of compensation. Would sick days be any different?
I would agree for companies whose employees show up in large offices, encouraging ppl to stay home prevents infections but that's not the case on a train
@smokeygeo @stux @rbreich Setting aside the foundational truth that health care is an inalienable right, as well as the more specific truth that employer-provided health benefits (including paid sick leave) are basic human dignities, sick people being forced to work is unhealthy by every metric: for the sick worker, for their colleagues, and (in this case), every poor shmoo sitting on the train while Conductor Coughing Fit trundles through.
@smokeygeo @stux @rbreich Freight trains are still operated by many people working in proximity. Forcing sick people to work is not only cruel, it threatens profitability by needlessly exposing other workers to illness.
Suggesting that employer-provided healthcare and worker compensation is a zero-sum game is incorrect. This entire discussion is about human worth, something capitalism has historically benefitted from undervaluing.
Suggesting that employer-provided healthcare and worker compensation is a zero-sum game is incorrect. This entire discussion is about human worth, something capitalism has historically benefitted from undervaluing.
@tommyyum @stux @rbreich they are not being forced to work while sick- they are not being compensated for time off while sick, which is not the same thing.
Then it's a question whether sick days are really paid by the worker even if they are nominally paid by the employer. Just as health insurance is paid for by the employee even though nominally the employer pays for this.
If you were self-employed, you'd be more aware of this- the employers' social security contributions, holiday pay and all these other things you think are freebies- are paid by the employee.
ElGuapo 🥑@rbreich how many do senators get?
QuestI wonder how many of the 33mil w/o sick leave also ironically work on Labor Day.
I tried to research the answer and could not find anything specific to Leave Policies. If they fall under OPM policy then 4 hrs each pay period.
I did find this link of Senate Salaries 1789-2022
https://www.senate.gov/senators/SenateSalariesSince1789.htm
and this PDF from 2021 about the total compensation and allowances.
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL30064
Enjoy!
RichardOntario@rbreich Such a 3rd World country and y’all keep believing the lies
flexghost.@rbreich heaven forbid we inconvenience any of the elite class and make them receive a fraction less so that workers can have basic rights.
Nordstahl
Roxana M@rbreich it’s the same in Canada. Shameful.
Calm, considering@rbreich I wonder how many of the 33million vote Republican
Teresa Alves de Azevedo@rbreich paid sick days are mandatory in Portugal, as are vacation days (up to 25/year). Oh, and election day always falls on a sunday, so everyone can vote
@TeresaAAzevedo @rbreich Same in Australia. Mandatory sick leave and vote on a Saturday. If you are working on a Saturday then vote during the week. No lineups even though compulsory voting.
Antonio Santos 🇵🇹@rbreich Do you have paid maternity and paternity leave?
Joe Segal@rbreich what can be done via state ballot initiatives to get paid sick leave for more people?
WhatTheJules 🫶🏻@rbreich my daughter is a private school teacher and today she is using the last of her THREE sick days. Disgusting
Ardnax@whatthejules @rbreich THREE sick days? During a (still ongoing!) pandemic??? Barbaric
@Ardnax @rbreich I keep wondering what the parents of her students would think about the idea that the person spending all day with their child might be coming to work sick because they cannot afford to stay home. I will gladly pay my daughter to stay home, it is insane that I even have to say that.
@whatthejules @rbreich And then people were like "Why do our kids keep getting sick?" Gee whiz, I wish we knew! 🙄
Rob Williams@rbreich don't forget, we are also the country that reclassified people in a pork processing plant as essential and sent them back into unsafe conditions during a Pandemic!
@rbreich Only the federal government can cure American employers of their nasty habit of treating workers like dog shit.
GadgetPhreak@rbreich Apparently essential is synonymous with disposable
Don@rbreich And we supposedly live in a civilized nation.
Neil Federspiel 🇨🇦@rbreich Unfortunately, some of that happens in Canada as well.
Kickinldy@rbreich I don’t think it’s only in America, but it’s definitely a problem.
Elena Delavega
Nicholas Ripley@rbreich utterly counterproductive and inhumane
Arnan de Gans@rbreich that happens in many countries these days...
Meowtamunny@rbreich Sad but predictable the paltry 7 day sick leave amendment failed-thanks Rs,the party who professes to be all in for the working class.Unless you’re independently wealthy,how on Earth do regular people vote Republican?
@rbreich Only in America would we allow people to accept a job without benefits and then demand that employer to provide the same benefits the employee agreed not to receive.
patriselma@rbreich That for European thought is unacceptable.
LizzyBJammin@rbreich
This is really sad and one reason why Unions are important Ain my opinion.
This is really sad and one reason why Unions are important Ain my opinion.
Kenny Mayne@rbreich positively 19th century
Packet Loss@rbreich Robert I like what you're putting down.
Runner Lady@rbreich thank you for being here. I follow you on all the socials. Bye, Elon!
All people deserve the decency of paid sick leave. This should not be controversial!
All people deserve the decency of paid sick leave. This should not be controversial!
Bathman@rbreich I think it’s time to repeal the Jones Act. Open up the waterways to transport and reduce carbon fuels in the process. It also would reduce the stress on the rail system. We are trying to push too much through the roads and rails. I know politically it’s a hot potato, but it’s time. #railstrike #climatechange
@rbreich the challenge for railroads is those employees really are essential- they don't show up, the train can't run. Is there a fix for that??
@rbreich
We call this "serfdom".
We call this "serfdom".
krayneum
Voron@rbreich hey 👋 have the Dems run on such an amazing revolutionary idea?
🤔
No I know shut up until Dems have an 100 set majority in Congress and 20 seat majority in the senate & the White House or we can’t even talk about it 🤷♂️
🤔
No I know shut up until Dems have an 100 set majority in Congress and 20 seat majority in the senate & the White House or we can’t even talk about it 🤷♂️
Luna Dragofelis ΘΔ moved to @@rbreich Germany has six weeks of paid sick leave. If you're still sick after six weeks, health insurance will pay for your income (Krankengeld).
Scott the F is implicit Baxter@rbreich Employers incentivise coming to work sick.
Final Round Player 😷🇪🇺🍸@rbreich This is a pandemic control issue as well. For public health reasons, all customer facing workers along with all workers who work in close proximity with others, should have mandatory paid sick leave. Otherwise they'll try and carry on working when they now they're sick and infect others.