Paid Sick Leave Supporters Rally At Fast Food Chain

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Fighting for a right that no worker should go without. Maryland lawmakers are considering a bill that would impact hundreds of thousands of workers in our state.

Amy Yensi has more on the push for paid sick days.

Some activists and workers are joining forces in hopes lawmakers will hear their voices loud and clear.

The fight for paid sick days spills into the streets. The proposed bill could benefit nearly 750,000 Maryland workers--workers like Emanuel McCray--a father, veteran and cancer survivor.

"I had to work sick during my cancer just to get the ability to get medical benefits," he said.

The Maryland Working Families Group says stories like McCray's are far too common.

"We don't think it's fair that anyone should have to choose between putting food on their table and getting better," said Matthew Hanson, Maryland Working Families Group.

The proposal would enable workers to earn up to seven paid sick days a year to care for themselves or a sick family member. In a hearing last month, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce opposed it.

"In a time when small businesses are struggling to stay afloat, this will have a negative impact," one woman said.

But President Obama expressed support for paid sick leave during his recent visit to Maryland.

"When they make that investment in their employees, it pays dividends because the employees are more productive, there's lower turnover, there's greater productivity," the president said.

Reporter: "If this bill gets blocked in Annapolis, what message do you think that will send to the workers?"

"I believe the message that's going to be sent is that the people that are in the positions of power, our legislators, they don't care about the average, every day worker," said Jammel Davis, Maryland Working Families Group.

They say they want to reach as many people as possible before the bill gets voted on.

"Everyone that's working deserves to have sick leave because no one knows when you're going to get sick," said Vernell Link.

Organizers say tens of thousands of people have already signed the petition supporting the bill.

Organizers of the protest hope to get the bill passed this year.