Women’s groups trying to pry sick leave bill from Philadelphia City Council limbo

Women’s service and advocacy groups are not happy that a bill calling for sick leave for all workers in Philadelphia, is sitting in City Council limbo.The advocacy groups said working mothers who do not have paid sick days are put in a difficult spot, when they want to take time off to care for a sick child or elderly parent.  Carol Goertzel is President and CEO of PathWays PA, a non profit organization that provides residential services to women and children in the Philadelphia area.”Women often work in low wage jobs that routinely lack paid sick days and they’re more likely to caregivers to children, elder family members or themselves,” said Goertzel.  “Women also are more likely to work in jobs that interact with the public: making their illnesses public health risks as well as personal job risks.”The Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce has been organizing opposition to the legislation, saying it could kill jobs, convince some employers to leave the city and stifle new job creation.Goertzel and other advocates said those fears will not come true, and that those are the same worries expressed every time the minimum wage is increased.