WASHINGTON, DC-- Rebia Mixon Clay is a full-time home care worker in Chicago who gets up each day and provides quality care to a man with cerebal palsy. She's paid for eight hours a day, but she gives much more. Because she does not have paid sick days, Rebia has not seen a dentist in 13 years. She hasn't gotten the glasses she needs. She hasn't had time to get a mammogram.

"Hard-working Americans like Rebia deserve to know that they can go see a doctor without losing their job," said SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger, following the introduction late yesterday of "The Healthy Families Act" by Senator Kennedy. Representative DeLauro introduced the legislation into the House of Representatives earlier this week.

"Now more than ever, workers are struggling to balance the demands of their jobs and their families. As Congress works hard to pass quality, affordable healthcare for every American, they must make sure workers are able to do the things necessary to keep themselves and their families healthy. Paid sick days benefit both workers and employers, as there is substantial evidence that it improves productivity and the bottom line.

"Congress must move quickly to pass this important legislation to go along with the historic work being done to fix our broken healthcare system so Americans like Rebia are not forced to choose between the job they need and their own physical wellbeing."

The Healthy Families Act allows workers to earn paid sick time so they can address medical needs and care for family members:

• Workers can earn up to 56 hours (7 days) of paid sick time. Workers earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked.

• Workers can use this time to stay home and get well when they are ill, to care for a sick family member, to obtain preventative or diagnostic treatment, or to seek help if they are victims of domestic violence.

With 2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy."

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