Small Business Owners Stand for Paid Leave
Digital Ad Campaign Calls on Congress to Support Paid Leave
June 14, 2021
Today, Paid Leave for the United States (PL+US) Action, Paid Leave for All Action, and Main Street Action released ads featuring small business owners from Virginia, West Virginia, Arizona and New Hampshire who support national paid family and medical leave. The ads urge Senators from those states to ensure paid leave is included in any jobs and long-term economic growth package passed by Congress.
“A strong paid leave policy that includes an option for sole-proprietors will keep our businesses open and thriving,” said Natasha Crosby, a real estate business owner in Richmond, Va.
“For businesses as small as mine to compete, we need a national paid leave program,” said Donna Welch, the owner of Let's Meat on the Avenue in Alexandria, Va. “To support small businesses, pass permanent paid leave.”
“Without paid leave, things unraveled at my business during COVID and I had to let two employees go,” said Portia Jones, the co-owner of Mad Skillz Salon in Phoenix, Ariz. “A permanent paid leave option would have helped my business avoid this setback.”
In the United States, 81% of all working people -- including Dads -- don’t have access to a single day of paid leave through their employers. According to a report recently released by the Women Effect Action Fund and TIME’S UP Now, paid leave policies would increase Virginians’ income by an estimated $57 million a year and increase the number of workers taking paid leave annually by nearly 22,850. Businesses small and large, in Virginia and across the country, know that passing national, comprehensive paid family and medical leave policy is good for business and essential to the U.S. long-term economic growth, global competitiveness, and family security.
“Small business owners across the country have made it clear that passing national paid family and medical leave is good for business, key to long-term growth, and essential for an equitable post-COVID economic recovery,” said Molly Day, Executive Director of PL+US Action. "Congress must act now to give businesses and hard working people the paid leave they need to thrive and care for themselves and their loved ones."
"Paid leave is one of the most widely supported policies in the country, and supermajorities from every party want it passed now with jobs and infrastructure,” said Dawn Huckelbridge, Executive Director of Paid Leave for All Action. “We need paid leave to support our small businesses, our working families, and our long-term economic growth.”
Small Business owners across industries and states all support including national paid family and medical leave as a critical priority.
“As a business owner in the hospitality industry, the pandemic has been an incredibly difficult time,” said Christopher Bellis, the owner of the Cranmore Inn in North Conway, N.H. “The American Families plan would allow my employees to access paid leave.”
“As a family-owned business that believes in caring for our employees, we know a national paid leave policy is a critical solution to Arizona’s economic recovery,” said Rosa Macias, the owner of Del Sol Furniture in Phoenix, Ariz.
“A national paid leave policy would help child care businesses recruit and retain talented employees who provide a vital service to the workforce and help shape our future,” said Tiffany Gale, the owner of Miss Tiffany's Early Childhood Education House in Weirton, W.Va.
“There is a clear and direct link between public health, paid time to care, small business viability, and a strong economy,” said Stephen Michael, Executive Director of Main Street Action. “Business owners are doing everything they can to stay afloat and protect the health and safety of their employees and customers during these times, but Congress must step in to ensure equal access to paid leave becomes a foundation in our economy as we seek to build back better and more resilient than before. Now is the time to invest in the care economy, it is critical to a resilient small business recovery.”
This state-wide, digital campaign is over $100k and begins on June 14. The campaign is paid for by PL+US Action, Paid Leave for All Action, and Main Street Action.
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About PL+US Action
Paid Leave for the U.S. Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) advocacy nonprofit fighting to win paid family and medical leave for everyone in the U.S. We’re electing candidates that will champion paid leave for all working people. To learn more, visit plusaction.us
About Main Street Action
Main Street Action is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization fighting to win policies and elect candidates that support leveling the playing field so small businesses can be the creators of good jobs in our communities.
About Paid Leave for All Action
Paid Leave for All Action is the 501(c)(4) campaign to win paid family and medical leave for all working people.