Philadelphia 'sick leave' initiative revived

A bill mandating paid sick time for all workers in Philadelphia is emerging from limbo in City Council.

The "Healthy Families Initiative" would require all employers to offer paid sick time to workers. After intense opposition from business leaders, it was put on the shelf for the past several weeks.

Councilman Bill Greenlee said, as a compromise, it now mandates fewer sick days.

"Basically ... it will address all the specifics the business community asked for with the exception of 'Don't do the bill,' " he said. "We still want to do it."

Councilman Darrell Clarke, co-sponsor, said he's still not sure if there are enough votes to pass the measure.

"I know it is a much more business-friendly bill after it was amended," he said. "We'll have to talk to members to see where they are after those changes. I think it's a reasonable approach."

Workers groups are lobbying heavily for the law. They plan to wrap City Hall with a chain of 10,000 postcards in support of sick leave.