Obama adviser visits Philly to promote paid sick leave

WITH HIS owlish eyeglasses and quiet demeanor, Bill Greenlee and the words "rock star" don't seem to fit. Not at first blush, anyhow.

Yet that is exactly how a top Obama administration official said she felt about Greenlee, an at-large City Councilman who fought - and fought - for a paid-sick-leave bill in Philadelphia.

White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett was in the city yesterday as part of a whistle-stop tour, largely designed to put public pressure on federal lawmakers who have yet to embrace Obama's call for greater workplace flexibility for families, including paid sick leave.

"I am delighted to be here in Philadelphia with Mayor Nutter, who I adore, and Councilman Greenlee, who has been a rock star and champion of this issue for a very long time," Jarrett said during an hourlong panel discussion at City Hall.

Greenlee took to the podium, amid robust applause from those in the audience, and spoke with the authority of, say, a political rock star.

"The United States is one of the only developed nations that does not have a national policy of guaranteed paid sick time, and I believe that this is really an embarrassment to our great country," Greenlee said. "It took us over six years of negotiating and I'm proud to say that Philadelphia is taking the lead on leave. . . . What we have done here in Philadelphia is a testament to the fact that government and businesses can collaborate to find a fair compromise for everyone."

Jarrett touted the city's paid-sick-leave law, which takes effect May 13, as a model for the rest of the nation. The local law provides for one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked and applies to city companies with 10 or more employees.

"There really is a health aspect to this whole discussion," Nutter said. "If you are in a restaurant . . . I don't really want to share your cold. . . . I want my wings. I want my fries. I don't want anything extra on the side."

Philadelphia, just behind Obama's hometown of Chicago, was the second stop on the nationwide tour, titled "Lead on Leave: Empowering Working Families Across America." Philadelphia is one of 18 cities and three states to pass some form of paid sick leave for workers. Federal legislation, which would provide up to seven days of paid leave per year for all Americans, is pending before Congress, and the bill's future is uncertain, Jarrett said.

"The reason why we are here is because Philadelphia is leading on this issue and we want the rest of the country to learn what you have already discovered, which is how important this issue is to your residents," Jarrett said. "But it's also important to 43 million Americans around the country" who don't have paid sick leave.

Jarrett's visit came as state lawmakers in Harrisburg are moving forward with a Republican-backed bill that would overturn Philadelphia's paid-sick-leave law. The Senate recently passed the measure and sent it to the House for consideration. Democratic Gov. Wolf, however, has voiced opposition to any bill designed to torpedo the local legislation.

Jarrett characterized as "dreadful" the Legislature's efforts to undermine Philadelphia's law.

"I think, frankly, Pennsylvania [lawmakers] should follow Philadelphia's lead. Don't you?" she said.

State Republicans who are against Philadelphia's new law have argued that paid sick leave would hurt small businesses.

But Jarrett said studies have shown that workplace benefits like paid sick leave actually increase profitability and foster loyal, hardworking employees.

Nutter said none of the state's other counties will be affected by Philadelphia's law.