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After more than a year of workers organizing for stronger protections in Minneapolis, the City Council Thursday introduced a paid sick time ordinance that largely follows the recommendations developed by a task force of business owners, labor representatives, business associations and workers.
The council slated a public hearing on the ordinance for May 18 at 3 p.m., with a council vote on May 27.
If passed, the ordinance would apply to Minneapolis employers with six or more employees. Workers would earn an hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. View text of the ordinance here.
Workers, advocates and business owners spoke in support of the compromise ordinance language in a press conference before the City Council meeting.
“We are happy to see that the Minneapolis City Council proposed an ordinance that reflects most of the recommendations made by the Workplace Partnership Group,” said Ron Harris, organizer with Neighborhoods Organizing for Change.
“The proposed ordinance is a compromise that shows a clear alignment of community members and workers, businesses both large and small, nonprofits, and restaurants. The City Council listened to the needs of those who work in Minneapolis and don’t have sick time, and unfortunately, these people are overwhelmingly women and people of color. Minneapolis has an opportunity to pass a strong sick time ordinance that will help close one of our worst in the nation economic gaps.”
Business owners also expressed support, and stressed that this ordinance would make the city healthier for both workers and businesses.
“I am pleased that Council President Johnson has introduced language that follows the recommendations of the Workplace Partnership Group,” said Danny Schwartzman, owner of Common Roots Cafe and Catering.
“The Partnership Group Recommendations were supported by a near unanimous vote of a broad array of stakeholders. It is a commonsense policy that balances the challenges small businesses face with the tremendous need in our community for more workers to have access to sick and safe time. This will be good for our community and good for business. I hope the council moves this proposal forward without delay.”
While the proposed language mostly reflects the recommendations developed by the Workplace Partnership Group, members of the Group noted a few changes that they hope to address going forward. Several Council Members also noted these differences, and expressed intention to amend these points in future meetings.
“I’m encouraged the proposed ordinance language reflects the recommendations of the Partnership Group, showing respect towards the time and effort we put into the process. This compromise reflected in the ordinance language will move towards a healthier city for business and workers,” said Molly Glasgow, president of the Metro Independent Business Alliance and owner of Point Acupressure. “We also urge the city to move forward with a small business office that would support existing business and encourage businesses and economic development in Minneapolis.”
Guillermo Lindsay, a McDonald’s worker and member of the Workplace Partnership Group, said, “As we move forward, we hope the City Council will take steps to ensure strong enforcement measures for the policy, and will address language requiring a doctor’s note after three consecutive days of absence. In our experience, laws work best when people feel empowered to exercise their rights without fear of retaliation. In addition, low-wage workers should not be burdened with a costly doctor’s visit to justify their absence.”
Hourly workers felt optimistic about the City Council’s ordinance language, and urged them to pass the ordinance soon.
“Calling in sick is saying good-bye to a lot of a paycheck, especially for a part-time employee like me,” said Shawn Akbar, who works at the Espresso Bar in the University of Minnesota Hospital. “We should be able to make the responsible decision and stay home when we’re sick without being penalized for it. It would be a lot better to have sick days allotted. I’m glad the City Council is taking this issue seriously and hope they pass this ordinance soon.”
Other comments from organizations backing the ordinance:
ISAIAH, a faith-based organization: “Since October, more than 500 ISAIAH leaders and clergy in Minneapolis have directly engaged their city council members through public meetings and phone calls, urging the council to lead for our families. We recognize the moral crisis facing our city as more than 123,000 workers lack access to paid sick time to care for themselves or families, and we are pleased that the council has taken a powerful step towards a strong earned sick and safe time policy that provides Minneapolis workers with enough hours to care for themselves and their loved ones.”
SEIU Minnesota State Council Executive Director Brian Elliott: “SEIU members have fought for years both through their union and through their elected officials to ensure no one has to choose between the health of their family and the paycheck they need to cover rent, food and other basic needs. I am proud to have worked with business leaders large and small, workers who currently lack sick time and community groups as a member of the Workplace Partnership Group that spent dozens of hours coming to the compromise we resoundingly supported with a 13-1 vote.
“I am glad the Council took our compromise as a basis for this policy, and will continue to advocate for language that makes certain we aren’t leaving any families behind. I am hopeful the Council will get this policy in place as soon as possible and cover every worker in our city so we can finally address the crisis of nearly 42% of workers in Minneapolis not having access to any paid sick time. Passing a strong Earned Sick and Safe Time ordinance will be a positive step to address our city’s racial disparities and will make our city stronger for both workers and business.”