Jersey City council introduces sick leave measure

[T]onight’s meeting saw the first reading of Fulop’s proposed “earned sick day” ordinance. If passed after a public hearing, the ordinance would require all businesses with 10 or more workers to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick time to employees annually. The measure has been panned by members of the business community.

Groups supporting the ordinance include NJ Working Families Alliance, the state NAACP and its Jersey City chapter, New Jersey Citizen Action and the Service Employee International Union. There were scores of supporters at tonight’s meeting, many holding placards.

If passed, the ordinance would make Jersey City the first city in the state to guarantee workers earned sick days, according to NJ Working Families Alliance.

“Introduction tonight of this legislation is an important step toward supporting our working families and ensuring they have both job security and the ability to care for themselves and their families in the event of illness,” said Fulop tonight. “This is a basic human dignity issue that I was glad to advance and am hopeful the Council will adopt this measure on second reading in two weeks.”

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