Philly measure would benefit new moms in the workplace

A Philadelphia official is calling for fairness when it comes to lactating mothers. 

City Councilman David Oh says a nursing mother shouldn’t have a problem pumping milk in the workplace — and he’s introduced a bill to make it discriminatory to prevent it.

“Most people would find it shocking that in Pennsylvania, if you have a 10-minute break in the morning or afternoon, you could be fired if you are pumping milk,” Oh said.

The councilman mentioned the case of a woman who was terminated for pumping milk, saying he couldn’t believe her dismissal was legal.

“The case was dismissed by a federal judge stating it was not protected under the gender discrimination laws or the pregnancy act,” he said.

Just this year, a Texas court upheld a law similar to the one Oh is proposing. He said he wants to pass the bill here to test the opinion of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, if necessary.