Proposal would keep Pittsburgh's covid paid sick leave until 90% of Pa. is vaccinated

Pittsburgh businesses with more than 50 employees will be required to provide paid sick leave to workers who contract covid-19 or who are required to quarantine, under legislation city Councilman Bobby Wilson introduced Wednesday. The requirement would be in effect until 90% of the eligible Pennsylvania population is vaccinated.

The requirement was passed in December, but it was set to end when either the city or state emergency declarations expired.

The city’s emergency declaration has been in place since March 17, 2020, and has been extended through Aug. 3.

In June the state legislature passed a resolution that ended the declaration, which would have meant the sick leave requirement would also end unless the law was changed.

Wilson’s proposed revision to the temporary law changes the sunset of the requirement to when 90% of those eligible for the coronavirus vaccine in Pennsylvania have received it.

“The change … will fully support workers and let families continue on the path we’re on in Pennsylvania,” Wilson said.

Nobody on council opposed the change during a committee meeting Wednesday, and council will consider it for adoption next week.

The requirement bolstered protections for such workers after a similar federal requirement for paid covid leave ended Dec. 31, 2020.

It is separate from legislation city council passed in 2015 that required most employers to provide paid sick leave to employees. That law was subject to a lengthy litigation process and went into effect last year. It requires businesses with 15 or more employees to provide 40 hours of paid sick leave per year and those with fewer than 15 employees 24 hours of sick leave each year.