Group Challenges Pittsburgh Paid Sick Leave Bill In Court

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - A hospitality trade group has joined four restaurants and a cleaning service in a lawsuit seeking to overturn a Pittsburgh ordinance requiring city employers to provide paid sick leave to employees.

The Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association has teamed up with other businesses in the lawsuit, which was filed Monday in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

The measure adopted by the City Council in August requires employers with at least 15 workers to offer as much as five paid sick days per year to each worker. Those with fewer than 15 employees must offer three unpaid days off.

"We see this legislation as being a grave danger to small businesses," said owner of the Priory Hotel John Graf. "And it either No. 1 puts them out of business, No. 2 make it not worth their while to stay in business or No. 3 it's going to drive them across the border to Ross Township or Greentree."

The lawsuit calls the bill unconstitutional and argues that the city has violated the statutory limits of its power. It asks the court to void the ordinance.

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