Derrick

Derrick is an airport worker who cleans planes in Newark, NJ. Derrick talks about how the lack of earned sick days has impacted him personally; after an injury to his hand on the job, he was expected to continue working even though he was in pain. Derrick was unable to take time off because he could not afford to miss work and Derrick strongly feels that some earned sick time off would have allowed him to heal faster. Derrick also explains how he has seen his fellow employees come to work with the flu, risking infecting others simply because they could not afford to take the time off, and he feels that the new earned sick days ordinance in Newark will improve his and many others' work environment. Derrick also discusses how the new minimum wage increase has affected him, as well as other airport workers.