BC Federation of Labour: Healthcare voices call for permanent paid sick leave program in BC

Prominent voices in BC’s health sector are calling on the BC government to deliver a permanent paid sick leave program with coverage of at least ten days of worker wages. The appeal to government comes as new data from the Workers’ Compensation Board shows rising numbers of workplace exposures, and as BC’s health care system strains under high rates of hospitalizations due to COVID-19.

“Health science and community social service professionals know firsthand that we are all safer when sick workers stay home. Paid sick leave is not only good for public health, it is vital for health care workers working tirelessly through this pandemic to keep our health care system running” said Val Avery, President of Health Sciences Association, the union that represents thousands of specialized members of the health care team, including respiratory therapists, lab, and x-ray technologists...

See the full news release from the BC Federation of Labour here