Members of the business community are speaking out about St. Paul's proposed sick leave rules — with messages ranging from distrust and frustration about the process to unwavering support.
A group of business owners who gathered Monday morning at Workhorse Coffee Bar, holding signs proclaiming "another small business supporting earned sick & safe time," were firmly in the second camp.
Their show of support came shortly after the Grand Avenue Business Association looked through city e-mails about sick leave and said they show that businesses were not given an equal voice in the creation of the ordinance.
City officials were talking with advocates and labor representatives who support earned sick leave for months before reaching out to the business community and convening a community task force to draft ordinance recommendations, said Jon Perrone, executive director of the association.
"It comes down to the fact that we feel duped," Perrone said. "People felt the task force was just kind of a front … to appease the businesses."
Eric Foster, co-owner of the East Side restaurant Ward 6, was a member of the task force. He was also among those who held a news conference Monday to talk about why they think the city should require all employers to offer paid sick time. Foster said he does not share the Grand Avenue Business Association's concerns about the process.
"The council's job is to prepare and to think about things and have things ready to go," Foster said.
The task force, which included small-business owners, officials from large companies, labor representatives and advocates, tailored the ordinance to St. Paul, he said. The city can always alter the rules later if they are not working, Foster said.
