Milwaukee Paid Sick Leave Ordinance Will Not Take Effect

Yesterday, April 12, 2011, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed SB 23, a bill that will nullify the Milwaukee Paid Sick Leave Ordinance. SB 23 clarifies that the Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act is the law of the land and that local governments may not impose stricter employee leave requirements.

Governor Walker has said he will sign the bill into law.

The Milwaukee ordinance was very comprehensive and required paid sick leave for both full-time and part-time employees. Employers with more than 10 employees had to provide 9 sick days and employers with less than 10 employees, 5 sick days.

The Milwaukee ordinance was passed by Direct Referendum in the General Election of 2008. It did not go into effect because WRA, MMAC and others filed suit and the District Court ruled against the ordinance. This held up implementation for over two years and discouraged other local units of government from passing similar ordinances.

Recently, the Milwaukee Paid Sick Leave ordinance was upheld by Wisconsin's 1st District Court of Appeals. This made it even more urgent to pass the repeal and preemption contained in SB 23.

For more information on these recent legislative developments, email Pete Hanson at phanson@wirestaurant.org or call 800-589-3211.