Paid sick leave: an update for Washington contractors

Last November, when voters passed Initiative 1433, commonly known as the minimum-wage initiative, they were also approving a provision in I-1433 that requires employers to provide paid sick leave.

The initiative:

• requires all employers to provide paid sick leave with no exceptions for the construction industry; and
• offers no explicit language allowing waivers provided through collective-bargaining agreements.

The most important point for AGC members to keep in mind right now is that the paid sick-leave requirements do not take effect until Jan. 1, 2018. Thus, no action is required at this time.

During 2017, AGC will be working with the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) on the rules to implement the sick-leave law. To that end, AGC submitted these comments to L&I. A draft rule is expected from L&I in March, providing another opportunity for comment.

For more information, contact AGC Chief Lobbyist Jerry VanderWood by phone at 360-352-5000 or by email at jvanderwood@agcwa.com.