Arrow-right Camera
Go to e-Edition Sign up for newsletters Customer service
Subscribe now
Opinion >  Letters

Sick leave would change lives

I am so glad the Spokane City Council is considering passing an earned sick and safe leave policy for all workers in Spokane. I’ve been a care provider here for 30 years, now working part-time to supplement my Social Security. My industry is full of hard-working people, but many are still struggling to get by. In our state, 30 percent of home care workers and their families live in poverty. There’s just no extra money to fall back on when we miss work.

I have friends who are working and raising their grandchildren. Last month, my friend had to go to the elementary school to pick up her sick grandchild, not for the first time this year. Because of that, she lost wages she desperately needs.

My friends never complain about the sacrifices they make. But a few hours of lost wages could mean gas in the car, paying a bill or even food on the table. When we are sick, or our own children are sick, or even the grandchildren that we are raising, it would make a huge difference in our lives to have earned sick and safe time. I hope to see this policy pass soon in Spokane.

Susie Young

Spokane



Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.
Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt.
Click here to learn more.

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form

Mail: Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201

Email: editor@spokesman.com
Fax: (509) 459-3815
Questions?: (509) 459-5430