Paid Sick Leave: We Have a Deal

The Brian Lehrer Show | Mar 29, 2013

The City Council has struck a deal on controversial paid sick leave legislation. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who had long blocked the deal, reached a compromise Thursday night with supporters of a bill. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and business coalitions are opposed paid sick leave, but the plan is expected to pass with a veto-proof majority. Linda Baran, president and CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce talks about why she's opposed to the deal and Dan Cantor, executive director of the Working Families Party on why he is praising the deal.

What's In the Paid Sick Leave Compromise?

  • Businesses with 20 or more employees would have to start giving their workers five paid sick days a year beginning in April 2014 
  • The rule would eventually apply to businesses with 15 or more workers by October 2015
  • All employees would have to be employed for at least four months to be eligible, including part-time workers. Seasonal workers and work study students would not be eligible
  • The sick-leave requirement would not be implemented next year if city’s economy significantly slows down, as measured by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York

More details and analysis from the WNYC newsroom here.

We'll hear live excerpts from the announcement at City Hall, speak with opponents and supporters, and take your calls. Are you a business owner, or employee? What do you think of the compromise? Call 212-433-9692.

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