Paterson becomes fifth N.J. city to pass paid sick leave law

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The city on Tuesday night became the fifth in New Jersey to pass a paid sick leave ordinance.

The city council voted 7-0, with two absences, to pass the law.

Under the ordinance, private sector workers earn one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. Workers at companies with 10 or more employees, in addition to child care, home health care and food service workers will receive a minimum of five paid sick days a year. Workers at smaller companies will receive a minimum of three.

A coalition of organizations has pushed for paid sick leave laws in cities across New Jersey. Passaic, Newark, East Orange and Jersey City have passed their own policies. The city of Irvington joined Paterson in passing a similar law on Tuesday night.

The Paterson law will cover about 23,000 workers, according to estimates from the Center for Women and Work at Rutgers University.

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