Testy Council Debates Mandatory Sick Leave Bill

NewsWorks reports on today’s day-long debate about a proposed bill to force employers to offer paid days off for employees. The radio station reports that “sparks flew” at the hearing:

Councilman Bill Greenlee, who reintroduced the earned sick leave bill, went on the offensive after Philadelphia’s health commissioner refused to testify at the hearing.

“A big part of this issue is about the health of Philadelphians, the health of low-income workers and to steal Jack Nicholson’s line, ‘You can’t handle the truth!'” said Greenlee. “I think this is one of the most disrespectful things that the mayor has ever done to City Council.”

Instead of the health commissioner, the Nutter administration sent Commerce Director Alan Greenberger. He says the bill would hurt the city’s job climate.

“The legislation would make it more difficult for Philadelphia businesses, likely resulting in a loss of job opportunities that the bill is intended to help,” said Greenberger.

The bill replaces one, vetoed by Mayor Nutter,  that went down to defeat a year ago.  No word on when the council will vote on this year’s edition.