Voters in states and cities across the country cast ballots on Nov. 4 in favor of higher minimum wages and guaranteed paid sick days.

Four traditionally conservative states — Alaska, Arkansas, Nebraska and South Dakota — voted to raise their minimum wages to between $8.50 and $9.75 an hour.

Minimum wage increases were also passed in Oakland, which will raise the wage to $12.25, and San Francisco, to $15. California’s state minimum wage is $9 an hour.

Guaranteed paid sick days also got the thumbs up from voters.

In Massachusetts, 60 percent of voters said yes to a measure requiring businesses with 11 or more employees to offer workers — both part- and full-time — an hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of 40 hours of annual paid sick leave. Smaller businesses must also offer up to 40 hours of sick time although it can be unpaid.

In New Jersey, majorities in Montclair and Trenton voted to grant workers who provide food service, child care or home health care, or who work for companies with 10 or more employees, up to 40 hours of paid sick leave per year. Workers at smaller companies would receive up to 24 hours. Meanwhile, in Oakland voters said workers should earn between five and nine days of paid sick leave each year, depending on the size of their employer.

Labor Notes, Nov. 5
Family Values @ Work, Nov. 5