SEATTLE, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- The Seattle City Council has overwhelmingly approved an ordinance requiring businesses with more than four workers to give them paid sick leave.
The measure passed 8-1 Monday to cheers from union members in the council chambers, SeattlePI.com reported.
"To ensure healthy working conditions is clearly a role that only government can address," Councilman Nick Licata, one of the supporters of the measure, said. "Government ... has a duty to protect its citizens by promoting good, safe and healthy work conditions."
The sick leave requirement takes effect in September 2012. It varies depending on the size of businesses, with those with fewer than 50 employees required to offer an hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked.
Business owners and the Chamber of Commerce opposed the measure. Rick Yoder, who owns two restaurants, Wild Ginger and Triple Door, said he is already being squeezed by increases in city fees for parking.
"I urge you to continue to think about this in a bigger continuum," Yoder said.
Washington and San Francisco have similar laws in place.
