The debate on paid sick leave in Philadelphia

GUESTS: RANDY LOBASSO, MARIANNE BELLESORTE  & WILLIAM DUNKELBERG

Last week Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter vetoed the Earned Sick Days Bill recently passed by City Council. This is the second time around for the bill, championed by Councilman Bill Greenlee, which has been amended since its first go-round in 2011. The current bill allows all Philadelphia workers to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, if employed at a business with more than six employees – part-time or full-time. Our guest, Philadelphia Weekly staff writer, RANDY LOBASSO, described this issue as ‘the next liberal litmus test” in his recent piece in Salon. Such legislation has had some success in other parts of the country: San Francisco, Seattle and Portland, Oregon’s workers can earn paid sick leave, as well as employees in the state of Connecticut. MARIANNE BELLESORTE, Director of Public Policy and Media Relations for Pathways PA, who lead the testimony of the coalition advocating for the bill, believes this is a public health and a lost wage issue for many workers who call out sick. WILLIAM DUNKELBERG, Chief Economist for the National Federation of Independent Business, wrote a report pointing out the legislation would create a financial and administrative burden on businesses and slow down future job growth. Philadelphia City Council has until Thursday, April 11^th, to override the mayor’s veto.

AP Photo/Matt Rourke