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Restaurant workers group fights for mandated paid sick leave

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March 18, 2020

Major restaurant chain executives have had time to talk with President Donald Trump, but many frontline workers in those chains still believe their voices are not being heard. One of the main action groups advocating for restaurant workers — ROC-United — said today that even as thousands of restaurants shut down or close dine-in operations nationally to control the spread of COVID-19, hourly workers in those businesses are still facing great uncertainties, since many have been laid off or lost hours at their workplaces.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed an emergency relief package onto the Senate on March 7, but ROC-U said the legislation exempts large employers with 500 or more employees from paying sick leave or child care assistance, since many children's school have closed. 

"We support the bill in part because it guarantees free testing for all, but are working with our allies on stronger legislation," ROC said in a statement today. "Over 30,000 people have already signed our online petition, urging large corporate chains to provide their workers paid sick leave during this public health crisis."