Activists Vow to Continue Fight for Paid Sick Time
Thursday, September 20, 2012
By: Tom Parkinson

September 20, 2012 | WMFE - A coalition of citizen groups including Citizens for a Greater Orange County and Organize Now collected 50,000 petition signatures to place a measure on the November ballot that would require many employers in the county to offer paid sick time for full time and part time workers. According to the activist groups, many workers in central Florida's hospitality industry routinely show up for work when they're sick because they can't afford to take time off or because they're afraid of losing their jobs. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and the County Commission effectively killed the measure after a panel of judges gave the commission 20 days to review the proposal. Tuesday, September 18th, was the deadline to get the question on the November ballot.

  

90.7’s Tom Parkinson spoke with Stephanie Porta, Executive Director of the group Organize Now, and asked her what the paid sick time activists are planning to do going forward.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs released a statement saying that the confusion over the proposal was caused by the activists groups rushing the initiative through the process. Jacobs said the Commission has consistently followed a transparent procedure outlined in the Orange County Charter which was developed and adopted by the citizens of the County.

Mayor Jacobs says she has directed the County Attorney to fully review the matter and advise the board on how to proceed.