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Paid Leave for Union Workers

Official:Amending Section 9-4103 of The Philadelphia Code, relating to “Promoting Healthy Families and Workplaces,” to provide that employees covered by a bona fide collective bargaining agreement are eligible for paid and unpaid leave, all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Thomas

Introduced: May 15, 2025

: Committee on Law and Government

economic developmentpaid leave

Plain-Language Summary

This bill proposes to allow employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement to take paid and unpaid leave under certain conditions.

What This Bill Does

AI-written. Every figure is checked against the bill text.

The definition of "employee" in Section 9-4103 of The Philadelphia Code would be amended to include individuals employed by a collective bargaining agreement.
Employees covered by a bona fide collective bargaining agreement would be eligible for paid and unpaid leave under certain terms and conditions.
The ordinance would not diminish an employer's obligation to comply with any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or other agreement providing more generous paid and/or unpaid leave to a covered individual.
The ordinance would take effect immediately upon passage.

Both Sides

AI-written arguments. Every figure is checked against the bill text.

The case for

This bill provides job security and stability for thousands of Philadelphia workers who are part of collective bargaining agreements, allowing them to take necessary leave without fear of job loss. Employers would be required to offer paid and unpaid leave under fair terms, giving employees the protection they need to care for themselves and their families. By strengthening worker protections, this bill benefits working families, promotes healthy employees, and contributes to a more equitable and prosperous city.

The case against

This bill would increase the financial burden on Philadelphia employers, who would be required to provide paid and unpaid leave to employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. The city's businesses would bear the costs of implementing and administering this new policy, which could be particularly challenging for small businesses and those in industries with high turnover rates. By expanding leave benefits, the bill would also set a precedent for future municipal involvement in private employment contracts.

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