By Debbie Rogers
PERRYSBURG — Some city workers will now get four weeks’ paid pregnancy and parental leave.
At Tuesday’s meeting, council voted to give the leave to non-union employees. The new policy will have to go through the bargaining process for the union employees.
Councilman Tim McCarthy said he would be voting against the ordinance, but not on its merits.
“I think they’re very worthy,” he said.
McCarthy’s concern is “when we pass benefits that generally aren’t available at all to the citizens we represent.”
“Paid FMLA aid is just not very prevalent at all,” he said.
The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 allows eligible employees of a covered employer to take job-protected, unpaid leave, or to substitute appropriate paid leave if the employee has earned or accrued it, for up to a total of 12 workweeks in any 12 months. The reasons include the birth of a child, care for a newborn or care for a family member with a serious health condition.
Councilman Cory Kuhlman, who proposed the ordinance, said it is another tool for the city to compete with private entities.
It’s something they can offer that won’t affect the budget, he said.
Council President Jonathan Smith said he wanted to see more of the data, and if it would affect the budget.
Director of Finance Amber Rathburn said that would be difficult to research.
“How do we predict?” she said.
Kuhlman said that six employees in the last few years have gone on maternity leave.
They are usually forced to exhaust their sick time and take unpaid leave. Also, the city does not hire temporary employees to take their place while on leave. Other employees just absorb the work, Kuhlman said.
This policy shows loyalty to employees and shows them that city officials want them to have a good family life, he said.
“I would really like to see this extended to all employees,” said Councilman Kevin Fuller.
He made a motion to amend the ordinance to strike “non-bargaining,” so it would affect all employees.
After some discussion, there was no second. There were concerns this would circumvent the collective bargaining process.
“Well intentioned, not a terrible idea,” Mayor Tom Mackin told Fuller.
“When the bargaining unit goes to negotiate, they’ll use it,” said Councilwoman Jan Materni. “I would like to add that we should be setting the bar for this.”
The motion passed, with Kuhlman, Fuller, Materni and Weber voting yes.
Smith and McCarthy voted no.
