Quinn Seeks Compromise on a Paid Sick Leave Bill

After New York City Council members moved to vote on a paid sick leave bill without Christine Quinn’s approval, the City Council speaker finally has decided to rejoin the debate, The New York Post reported.

Quinn, a mayoral candidate, in the past had blocked any paid sick leave legislation from moving to the floor for a vote, claiming that it would hurt small businesses, reduce city wages, benefits and jobs.

But her campaign rivals say what she is doing is thwarting “social justice” to support small business for political reasons.

Quinn, D-Manhattan, is now trying to reach a compromise on a new version of a bill that would require businesses to provide their employees with at least five paid sick days a year, the paper reported.

The only other obstacle is deciding the minimum number of employees an employer should have to fall under the bill. Advocates are pushing for five as a minimum. But Quinn feels it should be more.

“The legislation, in its form being discussed today, is not a version of paid sick leave that I can support at this time,” said Quinn. “For me, it’s not a question if we need paid sick leave - it’s a question of when and how that will happen.”