Public Comment

By refusing to pass paid sick leave legislation for working people, the majority of the Berkeley City Council have been jeopardizing your health. Many low income workers, who cannot afford to lose any pay, feel compelled to come to work sick. Whether customers are exposed to a sick waiter or waitress, eat from dishes set by a sick employee, or eat the food prepared by an ill cook, customers are unknowingly endangering themselves by being exposed to contagious diseases. 

Take for example the Shigella bacteria outbreak that began in a San Jose restaurant. It has affected so far over 110 people. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. It can be fatal with patients who have severe symptoms. Significantly, the infectious disease spreads when food or water has been handled by contaminated hands or by an infected person. 

In addition to restaurants and other retail businesses, the adverse impact on health is a problem in all other businesses as well. Co-workers are always endangered. And by not staying home sick workers risk the further deterioration of their own health. Many people who contract the flu and other illnesses have had direct or indirect contact with workers who should have stayed at home taking care of their health. 

So except for many employers who care about nothing other than the bottom line, everybody else potentially loses. Enlightened employers provide sick leave. But most employers do not. It is therefore the moral obligation of the City Council to protect the interests of the public as well as the workers themselves. 

The following email address reaches the mayor and all members of the City Council: council@cityofberkeley.info