The fight continues to ensure Milwaukee companies grant their employees paid sick time. The workers’ rights group, 9-to-5 , on Monday appealed a Milwaukee judge’s decision that struck down the city’s sick leave mandate.
In June, Judge Thomas Cooper called the ordinance unconstitutional because of the inclusion of steps for dealing with domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Sangita Nayak, Milwaukee lead organizer of 9-to-5, says those very issues are why sick time is needed. She says without time off domestic abuses victims will have little time to seek help or file a restraining order.
Nayak also says with an expected spike in swine flu cases when school starts in the fall, sick time will be needed more than ever as parents will need to stay home with children experiencing symptoms or attending schools that are shut down.
The group is asking the city to come on board with the appeal. However, Mayor Tom Barrett has said he believes a paid sick leave mandate is best addressed at the federal level.
San Francisco and Washington DC have similar sick time requirements.