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Read the press release here.

City Council Overrides Bloomberg's Veto of Paid Sick Leave Bill

By Trevor Kapp | June 27, 2013 9:24am
 Christine Quinn called the override of the paid sick leave veto "a great day for workers all over New York."
Christine Quinn called the override of the paid sick leave veto "a great day for workers all over New York."
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DNAinfo/Mathew Katz

NEW YORK CITY — The City Council overrode Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s veto of the paid sick leave bill vote early Thursday, clearing the way for nearly 1 million city residents to receive paid time off from work if they or a loved one get sick.

The New York City Earned Sick Time Act passed the City Council overwhelmingly in May, before the mayor vetoed it. But Thursday’s 47-4 vote clears the path for the legislation to go into effect starting in April 2014.

“Today is not only a great day for workers all over New York,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. “It is also a great example of how we can bring people together through the legislative process.”

Beginning April 1, 2014, private sector employees of businesses with more than 20 people can earn up to 40 hours of paid leave a year. Businesses with more than 15 people will have to provide paid sick leave starting in October 2015.

Several other cities have adopted similar policies. Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle have each taken steps toward some form of paid sick leave.

The City Council also adopted the city’s 2014 budget, the eighth year in a row in which it was balanced on time.

The budget includes measures to keep all public libraries and pools open, restore cuts to child care and after school services, and stop the closure of senior centers at NYCHA facilities.