Paid sick time pushed in Walmart rally

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) - A rally was held in Hartford by some people calling for legislation that would make paid sick days mandatory for all workers in the state.

The demonstrators who gathered outside of Walmart on Flatbush Avenue on Mar. 10, had a very direct message for the retail giant.

"Wal Mart, you're so wealthy you can afford to keep us healthy."

They're angry because so many employers don't give workers paid time off when they're sick.

"When a company that makes seventeen billion dollars in profits every year doesn't have the decency to provide paid sick leave, and let employees use it without being penalized, it's not just unfair it's un-healthy," says Jon Green of Connecticut Working Families.

Hartford janitor Anthony Marcel was among the thirty or so people attending the rally.

He says, without paid sick days, he has no choice but to go into work when he's under the weather.

"I've got a mortgage and other bills to pay, if I lose two days work I don't get paid, and I stand a chance of losing my job. I'm not the cause of the bad economy, so I shouldn't be the one paying for the problem of the bad economy," says Marcel.

Legislation has been introduced in the General Assembly that would make paid sick days mandatory in Connecticut.

In the past, those who have argued against it, contended it could slow job growth in the state.

Advocates say, it's a matter of basic decency.

"Everybody should have their health care taken care of, and if they can and if they can't afford to get to a medical care facility they might lose their job that's no good for the economy," says Dr. Larry Deutsch of Hartford City Council.