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Foster Introduces Legislation to Extend Paid Leave for Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic

May 11, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Pandemic Leave Extension Act. The legislation would extend the paid leave temporary requirement included in the overwhelmingly bipartisan Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as determined by the end of the public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The paid leave mandate in FFCRA included a temporary requirement for employers to provide paid leave, including sick and family leave, to certain employees for COVID-19 related needs. Unfortunately, this provision expired on December 31, 2020, negatively impacting members of organized labor, who reached out to their Congressional leaders asking for an extension of this policy.

"I am honored to introduce this legislation to ensure that hard working Americans feel supported and secure in their employment, especially as they take care of themselves and family members due to COVID-19 related illness or loss," said Rep. Foster. "The Pandemic Leave Extension Act will extend an important provision that expired at the end of 2020 to support working Americans during this pandemic. I am grateful to the Fox Valley Building and Construction Trades Council for bringing this issue to the attention of Congress."

"We are thrilled that Congressman Foster has introduced a bill to extend Paid Sick Leave and Family and Medical Leave for those who continue to battle COVID-19 and must take time off from work to quarantine and recover," said Brian Dahl, President of the Fox Valley Building Trades Council. "Many of our union members continue to battle COVID-19, and this bill will provide financial stability for workers, from their employers, as they are on the road to recovery. We urge Congress to pass the Pandemic Leave Extension Act."

A copy of the bill is available here.

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