After a long fight and months of negotiations, the Paid Medical and Family Leave bill was signed in Olympia on Wednesday. Starting in 2020, it will guarantee 12 paid weeks off for caring for a newborn or adopted child, recovering from a serious medical condition including that of a family member, or 16 weeks for a combination of both. Passing this top priority piece of legislation is a huge win for working families in Washington State.

"It takes people. It takes organizing. It takes making sure that your fingers are on the pulse of what working families need."

It was incredible to have representatives from three labor unions present at the negotiation table. At the pre-signing ceremony at the steps of Olympia Capitol Building John Scearcy, our Secretary-Treasurer, spoke of the importance of the voice of everyday working Americans in getting this bill passed. 

“There’s one thing that doesn’t change and that’s what it takes. It takes people. It takes organizing. It takes knocking on doors. It takes making sure that your fingers are on the pulse of what working families need.” (You can watch the full speech below.)

Many of the speakers were parents, and their children played on the steps of the capitol as the bill that crucially affects their bonds with their families was signed. This makes Washington the fifth state after California, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York to implement this program. 

Many of the speakers were parents, and their children played on the steps of the capitol as the bill that crucially affects their bonds with their families was signed. This makes Washington the fifth state after California, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York to implement this program.