By Clara Bates
Missouri Independent, October 10, 2024. Also in St. Louis Post Dispatch, Springfield News Leader, St. Louis Business Journal, Yahoo News, Spectrum 1 News, more
A measure that would guarantee paid sick leave for over 700,000 Missouri workers who currently lack it, as well as gradually raise the minimum wage to $15, will appear on voters’ ballots next month.
The ballot initiative, called Proposition A, has been backed by various unions and workers’ advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, over 500 state business owners and others. ...
Studies have found that offering paid sick time can increase workers’ productivity and reduce illness, and generally adds little or nothing to business expenses.
Nebraska and Alaska also have paid sick leave on the ballot this year. ...
A coalition of hundreds of businesspeople in the state have signed on to support the ballot measure, arguing the policies help their bottom line, causing lower employee turnover, increased productivity and better health and safety conditions. ...