Council to Vote on Sick Leave Today

DC Security officer Raquel Mack was sick on Monday, but she went to work anyway, because - with no paid sick days -- she couldn't afford not to. "Missing days of work is something we can't afford as security officers," said Mack, who came down to the Wilson Building on her lunch break for a press conference to demand that DC City Council pass the Accrued Sick and Safe Days Act. Eleven Councilmembers co-sponsored the bill when it was introduced last year, but supporters of the Act - which is supposed to be voted on today - now fear the bill may be tabled because of last-minute business lobbying efforts. "Almost every Councilmember pledged to support this issue," said Metro Council President Jos Williams. "For anyone to have second thoughts on this issue almost constitutes fraud and deception." Councilmembers Jim Graham and Phil Mendelson both reiterated their support for the bill. "Any effort to table tomorrow is an attempt to kill this bill," said Councilmember Phil Mendelson. The bill would not only provide all DC workers with paid sick days, but would also be the first in the country to give victims of domestic violence a minimum amount of days to deal with their abuse. "This bill will allow victims to seek protection without losing their jobs," said Larisa Kofman of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Supporters of the bill – dressed in blue and purple – will gather at the Wilson Building today at 8:30A – before the vote – and noon to push for passage of the bill.  –Reported by Andy Richards