Paid Sick Leave Takes Effect Even As Harrisburg Considers Overturning Philadelphia Law
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Businesses with ten or more workers in Philadelphia face a new mandate from City Hall starting today: they must offer their workers earned paid sick leave. Supporters call it a milestone, while some lawmakers in Harrisburg are working to overturn the law.
Today is bittersweet for Councilman Bill Greenlee, who battled for more than three years on behalf of paid sick leave. He is thrilled the law takes effect in Philadelphia today, but he is concerned about a state Senate bill that would overturn the law.
"I feel good after all this time that people can finally officially start accumulating earned paid sick time," Greenlee says. "180-thousand to 200-thousand people can start getting this good benefit. As far as the state, we're still confident that that (senate bill) will not get finalized."
The Philadelphia law applies only to local businesses with ten or more employees. Workers will earn paid sick leave at the rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked. Greenlee says employers need to start keeping track of this, and workers should ensure that's being done.
"They certainly should make sure that now is there a record keeping of the hours they work," he says, "and the hours of sick time that they are accumulating."
If not, Greenlee says, the worker could bring it their boss's attention.
"It's up to the individual employee," he says. "If he or she wants to do that, they certainly have the right to do that, if they think the employer does not know it."
Greenlee says the city is creating a process by which workers who feel they are being denied earned sick leave can file a complaint. Under the law, businesses with fewer than ten workers must also offer sick leave, though without pay. Greenlee says leading up to today, he's heard thanks from many workers in low-paying jobs.
"And they feel it's really going to help them," he says. "And not to get on a soapbox, but I think that's what government is supposed to be about -- helping people."
The senate measure would prevent all Pennsylvania municipalities from imposing their own sick leave requirements on businesses. Sponsors say that decision should come at the state, not local, level. The bill is now in state House, and it's unclear when that chamber will take it up. Greenlee is pleased that Governor Tom Wolf is promising a veto if it reaches his desk.
"We're hoping that if does get through the House, the governor will veto it," Greenlee says, "and there's not the votes to override."
Greenlee was asked if the Harrisburg situation overshadows his relief that his bill is now in effect in Philadelphia.
"It does a little bit. But I think its overridden, if you will, by the fact that we now have a law," he says. "We're moving forward with it. Whatever happens in Harrisburg, we'll see what happens. But right now the city has an earned paid sick leave law that's going to benefit a whole lot of people."
