Expanded Mandate Includes Smaller Businesses
Mayor Bill de Blasio came to a Williamsburg ice cream factory last Thursday, Mar. 20, to sign legislation expanding paid sick leave to small business employees.
The expanded bill (Intro. 1-A) builds on legislation passed last year to cover business with up to five employees. The previous bill covered businesses with 20 or more employees.
“From Day One of this administration, we’ve made it our mission to lift up working families and raise the wage and benefit floor for all New Yorkers,” de Blasio said during the press conference at Steve’s Craft Ice Cream. “This law is the first of many steps we are taking to fundamentally address inequality in this city, and make this a city where everyone rises together. Today is truly a historic day that takes us one step closer toward that goal.”
The bill extends opportunities for employees to use paid sick time to care for grandparents, grandchildren and siblings.
According to de Blasio this was crucial, and an imperative component of the expanded bill.
At a Mar. 17 press conference at City Hall, de Blasio spoke about the need for the expanded legislation and credited several Queens lawmakers as cosponsors. Local sponsors included City Council Members Elizabeth Crowley, Danny Dromm, Julissa Ferraras, Daneek Miller Antonio Reynoso and Jimmy Van Bramer.
