Social Media Day of Action for Paid Sick Days

Healthcare is in crisis and our patients are struggling. Workers and their children are sicker than ever with flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 cases. Some pediatric ICUs are operating at a staggering 127% capacity. It was already difficult for our patients in low-wage jobs to stay home when they are sick without access to paid sick days. But now, they are facing the worst inflation in 40 years. Losing a day’s worth of wages to care for their child often means not being able to afford groceries or rent. This is unacceptable.

Next week, we have an important window to build pressure for paid sick days. Bill 4, Stay Home If You Are Sick Act, 2022, will provide 10 paid sick days and 14 additional days during public health emergencies. It is being debated on Thursday, November 24, and every MPP will vote on Bill 4 on Monday, November 28. Premier Ford and his government have the opportunity to pass the bill and provide this life-saving measure to all workers in Ontario. As policy makers decide on the fate of Bill 4, we need to be loud enough to shape the terms of their debate.

On Thursday, November 24 join health workers on social media:

1. Share a tweet or post that explains why paid sick days are critical right now. Include the call for this government to vote to pass Bill 4.
2. Use the hashtags #Justice4Workers and #PaidSickDays or #PaidSickDaysSaveLives. And tag @fordnation @MonteMcNaughton @SylviaJonesMPP.

If you RSVP for this event, we will send you some ideas for draft tweets closer to the day of the event. But it's also great if you can come up with your own!

Social media can be a powerful tool to present medical evidence and advocate for our patients. As health workers, we have a unique position and social capital that policy makers pay attention to - let’s leverage it to win paid sick days!