Philadelphia City Councilmembers have twice sent a bill to give workers Earned Sick Time only to have it vetoed by Mayor Nutter. Since then, the Mayor appointed a Task Force to study the issue and make recommendations. At-Large Councilmember Bill Greenlee has once again introduced the Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and the Mayor has said he will sign an Earned Sick Time bill. But we need the majority of City Councilmembers to vote in support of this bill to get it to Mayor Nutter’s desk! So please contact your Councilmember and urge support! Also, plan to come to City Hall, Room 400, on Tuesday, February 3rd at 11:30AM for the hearing.

As I’ve said before: Four out of five of the lowest income workers in Philadelphia, primarily women employees in the hospitality and care-giving sectors, have no provision for paid sick days. So if they or a family member gets sick, tough luck. Many times workers have paid sick days but are not able to use them to care for a family member.

The Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces Act would improve health and productivity on the job, protect the public’s health, ensure greater employee loyalty thus reducing costs of worker turnover, and provide some peace of mind for low income families.

Many states and municipalities have already passed Earned Sick Time bills without the dire consequences business predicted. Studies show instead that there’s been job growth in the sectors most effected by the law in several cities.

The time is now, Philadelphia! Urge Council to pass the Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces Act! You can find contact info here.