FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Contact: Hannah Edwards
hannah@mojwj.org
Kansas City – Today, Proposition A’s paid sick leave law went into effect, allowing workers across Missouri to start accruing paid sick leave. Proposition A to raise the minimum wage and guarantee paid sick leave won in November with nearly 58% of the vote. Missouri Jobs with Justice released the following statement today:
“The new paid sick leave requirement is now the law of the land in Missouri, which means workers will now finally get the earned paid sick time they deserve. Winning Proposition A in November was a tremendous victory for workers, signature gatherers, Missouri Jobs with Justice, and everyone involved in the effort. Missouri Jobs with Justice gathered more than 100,000 of the 210,000 signatures to get Proposition A on the ballot. We gathered support from over 150 labor, community and faith-based organizations and 500 business owners across the state. Higher wages and earned paid sick will change lives across Missouri and help us build towards a working family-centered economy.”
“No matter our zip code, our race, or what job we have, we work hard for our families. Being there for our families is non-negotiable,” said Caitlyn Adams, Executive Director of Missouri Jobs with Justice. “No Missourian should have to choose between a day’s pay and their family’s well-being. Tens of thousands of Missourians who work full-time do not get any paid sick days, but that changes today. Finally, working families across the state will receive the well-deserved and earned benefit of paid sick time.”
“I’m a single mother of four, and I am now able to start earning paid sick for the first time in my life,” said Andi Phillips, a server in Springfield. “I can’t explain how huge of a relief it is that I can now earn time off to better take care of my family and give my kids a better future. I never wanted a handout, just an opportunity to be the best version of myself for my kids and now I have that.”
“I can’t tell you how exciting it is to see Proposition A in full effect,” said Alejandro Gallardo, a worker and signature gatherer in Columbia. “Like most Missourians, I work hard every day but when I’m not feeling well, I’m forced into impossible choices. Proposition A for me is about making our communities healthier, safer, and stronger so that none of our neighbors are forced to choose between a paycheck and their family’s health. It’ll be cool to see this become the reality for hundreds of thousands of people in our state.”
“I joined with hundreds of volunteers last year to take democracy into our own hands and collect signatures to pass Proposition A. I don’t have paid sick time as a construction worker, and that’s what made this citizen-led initiative so important to me. It was an exciting and fulfilling opportunity to help secure paid sick time and higher wages for the next generation of Missourians,” said Ray Thomas, Missouri Jobs with Justice Leader and union member in Kansas City.
Workers will begin to accrue paid sick leave starting today May 1st. Missouri Jobs with Justice and Missouri Workers Center have set up a website, www.moworkersrights.org where workers and business owners can ask questions about compliance with the law. Missouri Jobs with Justice is also hosting events with Missouri Workers Center on Saturday, May 3rd in Kansas City and St. Louis to celebrate Proposition A paid sick leave going into effect and the journey to this tremendous win in November.
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More About Missouri Jobs with Justice:
Missouri Jobs with Justice is a coalition of community, labor, faith-based, and student groups and individuals working to build power through direct action and strong relationships rooted in justice, equity, and solidarity. An organization of, by and for working people, we hope to build a Missouri where all people can lead safe and healthy lives. In addition to our local and state partners, we are proud to be affiliated with national Jobs with Justice as well as People’s Action. Companion 501(c)(4) organization Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action builds Missouri’s worker justice movement through workplace campaigns, ballot initiatives, and other community fights.