CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY FOURTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-20-86 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Diane G. Gibson
RESOLUTION
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Creating A Task Force To Explore Options For Implementing Minimum Sick Leave Requirements In The City (Gibson)
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WHEREAS, mandatory sick leave requirements for private businesses operating within the City has been the subject of ongoing policy and legislative debate within the City since at least 2015 with the introduction of the “fair work week act” (O-15-57); and
WHEREAS, since 2015 the question of mandatory minimum sick leave within the City has been the subject of ballot initiatives, associated legal actions, and additional legislative proposals before the City Council; and
WHEREAS, despite all of the continuous debate and expenditures of resources by both proponents and opponents of the various sick leave proposals, workers in the City remain without minimum sick leave support, and employers remain subject to unpredictability as to their future potential sick leave obligations; and
WHEREAS, the question of minimum sick leave in the City impacts the lives of workers, the livelihood and relative success of some businesses, and the health, safety, and welfare of the City more generally; and
WHEREAS, given all of the various interests and stakeholders and the drawn out history of unsuccessful attempts at minimum sick leave requirements in the City, a task force should be formed from representatives of employee advocates and associations, business advocates and associations, and others who might offer expertise or insight; and
WHEREAS, such a task force will offer an opportunity for various interest groups to identify and discuss specific issues, options, concerns and possible solutions or scenarios for a base line sick leave requirement within the City which may result in a better starting point for the City Council to craft a workable sick leave ordinance.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
Section 1. A six (6) member Sick Leave Task Force (the “Task Force”) is established.
Section 2. The Task Force shall be made up of the following members:
A. Three representatives of employee advocates or employee associations; and
B. Three representatives of business advocates, or business or trade associations; and
Section 3. This Task Force shall explore: a) options for minimum mandatory sick leave requirements; b) options for exemptions of any employers or employees as may be necessary or appropriate, and c) any other relevant and helpful options relating to this issue. This Task Force shall prepare a list of recommendations or considerations for potential legislation that could help address issues related to the current lack of mandatory sick leave and the present regulatory unpredictability for businesses related to potential future sick leave obligations.
Section 4. This Task Force is a fact finding and recommending body and not a final policy making body; accordingly, any meetings of this Task Force are not subject to the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.