Sick leave bill coming back around again in Philadelphia

A Philadelphia city councilman is hoping the third time is a charm when it comes to mandating sick leave for private-sector workers.

 Bill Greenlee will re-introduce his bill today.

Greenlee says his bill demanding private employers offer paid sick leave has evolved. “We’re up to 39 changes from the original bill and by the time we pass it might be in the 40’s somewhere,” he said. 

Greenlee says his bill would mandate paid sicktime for businesses with 10 or more employees. Smaller outfits would have to offer unpaid sick days.

Labor lawyer Rick Grimaldi says this could hurt Philadelphia’s effort to lure new businesses.

“From my perspective, and my client’s perspective it’s going to mean more regulation for business, it might even possibly chill businesses that want to come and relocate in Philadelphia or stay in Philadelphia,” he said.

That kind of response has been common.  Concerns about hurting Philly’s economy lead Mayor Michael Nutter to veto similar bills twice. 

This bill is more ambitious than what Mayor Nutter’s special commission recommended. That panel suggested demanding paid sick days for employers with at least 15 workers.

Today is the last scheduled session day for council until next year.  And 2015 is an election year for mayor and city council.