Massachusetts Peace Action has joined the Raise Up Massachusetts campaign... Massachusetts Workers need a Higher Minimun Wage and Paid Sick Time! A higher minimum wage and the right to earned sick days are a basic part of a social justice agenda. Massachusetts Peace Action joins close to 100 other community organizations engaged in the struggle for economic and socail justice. Please support the Raise Up Massachusetts effort which is attempting to put two referenda on the November 2014 ballot: Minimum Wage Raise the minimum wage and ensure that it keeps pace with the rising cost of living. An increase in the minimum wage would impact one in five workers in Massachusetts and give them the financial stability to provide for their families. The minimum wage in Massachusetts has been stuck at $8 an hour since 2008, yet costs keep rising – and workers are long overdue for a raise. Workers can’t afford the basic necessities, and it’s an everyday struggle to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. The Minimum Wage Petition will raise the wage up to $10.50 an hour in two steps and establish a cost of living adjustment to keep up with inflation. Earned Sick Time Raise Up Massachusetts is fighting to ensure earned sick time for workers across the state. Under our proposal, workers would be able to earn one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours a year, so that they don’t have to risk losing their jobs to care for themselves or their families. For nearly 1 million workers in Massachusetts, staying home to care for themselves or a sick child could mean losing their job. The ability for workers to care and provide for themselves and family members is a right, not a privilege, and now is the time to make it a reality for working families. Earned sick time is also good for business. Job retention policies like earned sick time reduce unemployment and strengthen the economy. When workers are able to earn sick time, it decreases employee turnover, limits the spread of illness at the workplace, and maximizes productivity. We need volunteers to collect 89,000 signatures to put the Minimum Wage and Earned Sick Day issues on the Ballot. Call 617-354-2169 or email info@masspeaceaction.org to volunteer to work one of the polling sites in the CD5 special Election October 15 for a 2 hour shift. If you live in the district, you can work your own polling place for Raise Up or for Carl.. The District Includes: Arlington, Ashland, Belmont, Cambridge (part), Framingham, Holliston, Lexington, Lincoln, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Natick, Revere, Sherborn, Southborough, Stoneham, Sudbury (part), Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Weston, Winchester, Winthrop, Woburn