Quinn Under Pressure to Pass New York City Sick Leave Bill

Pressure on New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn continues to grow as her opposition to a paid sick leave bill is frustrating her fellow council members, advocacy groups, and families across the city.

Councilwoman Letitia James plays with a child at a protest calling for New York City Council to pass a law mandating paid sick days Oct. 4. Amal Chen/The Epoch Times

NEW YORK—Pressure on New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn continues to grow as her opposition to a paid sick leave bill is frustrating her fellow council members, advocacy groups, and families across the city.

According to city Councilwoman Gale Brewer, 37 members of the City Council support the bill, which would require businesses with five or more employees to give their employees five paid sick days a year. The bill would affect the 1.6 million workers who currently do not have any paid days off.

According to supporters of the bill, Speaker Quinn is the only thing getting in the way of the Council putting it to a vote.

“I have never seen a bill that has been more debated, more documented, more scrutinized, with more supporters,” Public Advocate Bill de Blasio said from the steps of City Hall Thursday. “Everyone has weighed in. How has this not been brought to the floor?”