Health, Safety, and Well being

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Events

Take Action, Milwaukee Offensive Court Decision

Many of you may know that a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge recently struck down an ordinance that would have allowed employees in the City of Milwaukee to take paid sick days. The ordinance also would have allowed victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking to take paid sick days when relocating or appearing in court.

In striking down the sick pay law, the judge ruled that the ordinance was invalid because domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking are not closely related to the public health and welfare. The judge’s decision reflects a deeply disappointing level of ignorance about the huge costs of violence against women. What’s more, unless the judge’s decision is overturned, the protections that victims and Milwaukee workers gained under the ordinance will be lost.

Here’s what you can do to ensure that the decision does not stand and that Milwaukee survivors are able to have support from their employers when they desperately need to escape an abusive situation. The City of Milwaukee has not yet determined whether or not it will appeal the judge’s ruling. If you live in Milwaukee, you should call the Mayor and the City Attorney and urge them to appeal the decision. If you do not live in Milwaukee, you can forward this alert to Milwaukee residents.

Call Mayor Barrett’s office at (414) 286–2200 and City Attorney Langley at (414) 286–2601.

Tell them:

The court decision, striking down the Milwaukee Sick Pay Ordinance, was deeply flawed. The judge ruled that allowing survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault paid leave to relocate or seek legal protections, is not ‘rationally related to the ordinance’s overall objective of protecting the public welfare, health, safety and prosperity of the City…’

Nothing could be further from the truth. Giving survivors the support they need to escape abuse and seek safety will certainly protect the public welfare, health, safety and prosperity of Milwaukee.

Please, appeal the judge’s decision.

Reports & Updates

Major Wisconsin Sexual Assault Victim Privacy Bill Introduced. Call your legislator.

Useful Links

IMPACT 211.