Philly City Council approves amended sick-time bill

Philadelphia City Council has passed an abbreviated form of the earned sick time bill. Mayor Michael Nutter vetoed a previous version earlier this year.

The legislation requires companies working for the city or receiving city financing to give their workers earned sick time.

After the mayor vetoed legislation mandating that almost all employers give workers the opportunity to earn sick time, Councilman Wilson Goode amended the bill.

“The message is about economic justice, which means that a person who works 40 hours a week for up to 52 weeks a year should be able to live with dignity, fair wages and benefits,” said Goode Thursday. “Especially if the job is supported with city taxpayer dollars.”

Supporters of earned sick time for all, such as Rebecca Foley of Women’s Way, said they see the passage as just the beginning.

“This is a huge step forward to enabling that all workers in Philadelphia get all the sick days they deserve to take care of themselves and their loved ones,” Foley said.

A spokesman for Nutter said the mayor has not decided if he will veto the bill.