Overturning the Popular Vote
Voters in Milwaukee could have their wishes overturned, thanks to efforts from their area chamber of commerce.
On Nov. 4, residents voted to pass an ordinance requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to their employees. The referendum won with 68 percent of the vote, and the ordinance is slated to become effective sometime in February 2009.
It calls for all private employers in the city to provide paid sick days for full-time, part-time and temporary employees. Workers will earn a minimum of one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, equal to about eight paid sick days for fulltime employees. Employers with 10 or fewer workers would be required to provide five paid sick days.
By law, the mayor and city council cannot amend or repeal the ordinance for a two-year period. However, on Nov. 5 , the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce (MMAC) filed a notice of intent to challenge the ordinance in court. On Nov. 17 its board voted unanimously to proceed with the legal challenge.
The MMAC will seek an injunction to block implementation of the ordinance during the court challenge.
Similar ordinances, in place in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. are also being challenged.
Tags: paid sick leave