“It’s a real step forward for our country because of the significance of New York City, the number of workers this supports and the fact that this creates momentum around the country,” said Debra L. Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families, one of the groups pushing the paid sick time cause nationwide.

Only 19% of low-wage workers have access to paid sick days, and adults without sick leave are 1.5 times more likely to go to work sick, according to the National Partnership for Women & Families.