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Got compromise?

The governor and business leaders want to repair a ballot issue mandating sick pay. They have much critical work to do

Published on Friday, Aug 08, 2008

The Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Hospital Association, AT&T, Forest City and other businesses in the state have joined Gov. Ted Strickland in seeking a compromise on a proposed ballot initiative that would require companies to provide seven days of sick pay for employees. The coalition of businesses rightly opposes the initiative. It also recognizes that ''a responsible compromise solution is far preferable to an expensive, contentious campaign that undoubtedly will have lasting negative effects on the perception of Ohio's business climate, no matter the outcome of the election.''

Make no mistake about the difficulty in crafting a compromise. On Tuesday, proponents of the Healthy Families Act, including the Service Employees International Union and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), filed their petitions. At the same time, they unveiled a 30-second television ad about ''thousands of middle class Ohioans facing a gut-wrenching choice'' — stay home and care for a child or spouse or lose part of their paycheck.

The message resonates: Many Ohioans do not earn paid sick days at work. Early polls show voters favoring the initiative by a wide margin. The suggestion was: Proponents will go eagerly to the ballot.

Oppose sick pay? Yes, when the ballot measure is so poorly written, the omissions and ambiguities risking harm to the business climate. The task of bringing clarity and balance may be the most formidable in achieving a reasonable compromise. The last day for withdrawing a ballot issue is Sept. 5. The governor and his business partners have in mind a deadline of Aug. 15, one week from today.

In that time, they must make plain such matters as how to count employees. The measure mandates that all businesses with 25 employees or more provide seven paid sick days a year. The fuzzy elements include the definition of who would provide medical certification for sick leave and what steps employers could take to prevent abuse of the policy. Would unused leave accumulate from year to year — leading to compensation when an employee left a company?

The measure would permit employees to use paid leave in small portions — one hour or less. It would require employers to alter their current policies even if they essentially meet the requirements of the act. Both provisions smack of punishing companies.

All of this and more must be cleaned up. The governor made a worthy start, unveiling ''a compromise construct'' last week, a reminder that such an endeavor belongs in the give-and-take of the legislature not a narrowly conceived ballot issue. Ted Strickland and the engaged business leaders deserve credit for seeking a responsible way out of this dilemma. They also should be prepared to defeat such a poorly crafted initiative if it appears on the November ballot.

The Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Hospital Association, AT&T, Forest City and other businesses in the state have joined Gov. Ted Strickland in seeking a compromise on a proposed ballot initiative that would require companies to provide seven days of sick pay for employees. The coalition of businesses rightly opposes the initiative. It also recognizes that ''a responsible compromise solution is far preferable to an expensive, contentious campaign that undoubtedly will have lasting negative effects on the perception of Ohio's business climate, no matter the outcome of the election.''

Get the full article here.


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