(no subject)
Sick leave referendum subject of dueling news conferences
By GEORGIA PABST of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 30, 2008 | In dueling news conferences Thursday, voices on both sides of Milwaukee's referendum to make employers offer paid sick days made pitches to voters, who will decide the question Tuesday.
Outside the offices of the Black Health Coalition, supporters led by the 9to5 National Association of Working Women cited a study that found paid sick leave would reduce the transmission of flu in schools and workplaces, make restaurants safer and reduce the likelihood of stomach flu outbreaks in nursing homes.
The study was done by Human Impact Partners in Oakland, Calif. Supporters argue that many low-income workers without paid sick leave must risk losing a job if they stay home sick or take time to care for a sick child.
At First Edge Solutions Inc., a printing company, business leaders including First Edge president and CEO Robert Kraft, argued that a one-size-fits-all government mandate on paid sick days will mean fewer jobs and a loss of the competitive edge for businesses in the city.
"No one wants a sick employee, but the onus is on us to take care of ourselves and work it out with preventive care, like vitamins," said Les Wilson, financial officer of Pereles Brothers Inc., a plastic injection molding company that employs 80 people.
I was going to vote yes on the referendum anyway, but that line just makes it that
much more satisfying.
By GEORGIA PABST of the Journal Sentinel
Oct. 30, 2008 | In dueling news conferences Thursday, voices on both sides of Milwaukee's referendum to make employers offer paid sick days made pitches to voters, who will decide the question Tuesday.
Outside the offices of the Black Health Coalition, supporters led by the 9to5 National Association of Working Women cited a study that found paid sick leave would reduce the transmission of flu in schools and workplaces, make restaurants safer and reduce the likelihood of stomach flu outbreaks in nursing homes.
The study was done by Human Impact Partners in Oakland, Calif. Supporters argue that many low-income workers without paid sick leave must risk losing a job if they stay home sick or take time to care for a sick child.
At First Edge Solutions Inc., a printing company, business leaders including First Edge president and CEO Robert Kraft, argued that a one-size-fits-all government mandate on paid sick days will mean fewer jobs and a loss of the competitive edge for businesses in the city.
"No one wants a sick employee, but the onus is on us to take care of ourselves and work it out with preventive care, like vitamins," said Les Wilson, financial officer of Pereles Brothers Inc., a plastic injection molding company that employs 80 people.
I was going to vote yes on the referendum anyway, but that line just makes it that
much more satisfying.