Heard in the Hall

City contractors may have to pay workers when they are sick

The push to require paid sick days in Philadelphia took a step forward Wednesday when a City Council committe passed a bill that would require it for city contractors.

11 comments

City contractors may have to pay workers when they are sick

POSTED: Wednesday, October 5, 2011, 1:52 PM

Miriam Hill

The push to require paid sick days in Philadelphia took a step forward Wednesday when a City Council committe passed a bill that would require it for city contractors.

Council's Committee on Commerce and Economic Development unanimously passed the bill, which would require companies that do business with, or get financial assistance from, the city to pay for up to seven days of paid sick time.

The bill, introduced by Councilman Wilson Goode Jr., followed an effort by Councilman Bill Greenlee to require paid sick leave for anyone who worked in the city. Mayor Nutter vetoed the bill, saying that while he supported the idea, he did not think Philadelphia should pass legislation that might make it less competitive than surrounding cities that do not require paid sick leave.

A vote by the full council on Goode's paid sick leave is expected Oct. 13.

Click here for Philly.com's politics page.

11 comments

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Comments (11)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:09 PM, 10/05/2011

No problem, I'll just raise my rates, assuming every worker will take all 7 days. And you dopey taxpayers who voted idiots like Goode and Greenlee into office will pay for it. I get richer, you saps get poorer. Gawd, I love this country.

— jimmymack

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:18 PM, 10/05/2011

Maybe you could stop being greedy and pay fair wages and benefits to the workers.

— FishtownYo

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 3:43 PM, 10/05/2011

The City will also hold a Contractor's money for at least 180 days past a voucher due date and not pay retainage for a year. What a way to keep business coming back.

— Mezike23

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:19 PM, 10/05/2011

As if people wont bid for the jobs if this goes into effect. Pay fair, then government wont force policies like this.

— FishtownYo

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:13 PM, 10/05/2011

Turn-out the lights. Oh, bring a doctor's note back with you.

— Milt, John and Curley

Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:37 PM, 10/05/2011

so philadelphia taxpayers will pay higher costs to fund the contractors' sick leave requirements? no thanks, mr goode. please go back to boffing miss bryant and leave us taxpayers alone

— oliver north

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 4:47 PM, 10/05/2011

Where to all these stupid idiots and there screwy ideas come from???? Perhaps if they did not drink the water we would all be better off. If I was a contractor in Philly and had to do this I would just say the hell with it. It is not worth it to be screwed over like this. A major POX on them all!!!!

— WCJRJR

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:01 PM, 10/05/2011

Who do you think is going to pay for this? The contractors will just figure this additional cost of doing business with the city into their bids. Guess that we'll be seeing another tax increase next year.

— Smokey