People marched through the streets of downtown Pittsburgh Thursday afternoon, holding signs and chanting slogans in support of paid sick leave.
This demonstration was intentionally held on International Women’s Day.
“Women’s rights! Workers’ rights! Same struggle, same fight!” shouted marchers.
Activists said that women, especially women of color, who work low wage jobs can often face a difficult choice.
“I had to choose between going to work and taking care of my kids,” said Darnika Reed, a mother of three and activist. “Parents shouldn’t have to make the kind of choice.”
Some also pointed out that it’s not sanitary to force workers to clock in when they're sick, particularly if they’re employed in the food service industry.
Pittsburgh’s Paid Sick Days Act, passed in 2015, requires all employers in the city to provide sick time to employees. That ordinance is currently being challenged at the state Supreme Court.