Milwaukee's Sick-Pay Regulations Couldn't Happen Here

Milwaukee's controversial sick-pay ordinance, which mandates that private employers provide paid sick leave to all employees, was reinstated Thursday.

But don't look for a similar mandate in Greenfield anytime soon.

The Common Council two years ago passed an ordinance that prohibits such a law from passing, even by referendum, in Greenfield. The ordinance states that no legislation can mandate a private employer provide particular wages or benefits.

In Milwaukee, a special-interest group called 9to5 led an effort to get the question on the November 2008 ballot, thereby bypassing the Common Council and mayor.

After the measure passed with nearly 70 percent supporting it, Greenfield and a number of other suburbs moved to prevent that from happening in their cities.

West Allis was the first to do so. At the time, officials there feared they would be in the crosshairs of 9to5 and similar groups. But when no backlash ensued, other cities eagerly followed suit.

Opponents of Milwaukee's sick-pay law say it places too big of a financial burden on private businesses. They also fear prospective businesses will stay away from the city and existing businesses will move.

Supporters of the law, meanwhile, believe the law is necessary to ensure that employees can care for themselves and loved ones.

Editor's note: Today's Editor's Notebook comes courtesy of Oak Creek Patch editor Mark Schaaf, who once covered Greenfield as part of his beat with NOW Newspapers.