By Mercy Austin and Faith Boyd
Columbia Missourian, April 10, 2025. Also KBIA-FM (NPR), Webster County Citizen, Maryville (MO) Forum, Griffon News, Marietta Daily Journal
Fifteen activists gathered at Yellow Dog Bookshop on Thursday to protest a Missouri House bill that would overturn Prop A’s sick leave provision. ... Yellow Dog Bookshop owner Joe Chevalier believes Missouri workers deserve paid sick leave and increased minimum wage.
“I think that a lot of people are, even in the wake of the pandemic, coming to work sick because they’re afraid of losing money, losing hours, maybe losing their job if they try to call out sick,” Chevalier said. ...
Jeff Basinger, co-owner of Cline, Braddock & Basinger, said paid sick leave can benefit workers by increasing productivity and reducing illness.
“I think you’ll have happier, healthier workers,” he said.
If HB 567 passes and Prop A is overturned, Basinger believes there would be negative impacts on employees.
“I think that you’re going to see many workers in the state be paid less,” Basinger said. “You may see workers show up to work sick and get other people sick.” ...