NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A group of women elected officials [accompanied by Make the Road members] on Monday called for immediate action on the New York City bill that would require sick days for all those employed in New York City.

As 1010 WINS’ Stan Brooks reported, the group – including U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) and Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) gathered on the City Hall steps demanding that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn allow the paid sick leave bill to come up for a vote in the Council, insisting there is enough support to pass it.

Councilwoman Letitia James (D-35th) said it’s about time.

“The individual who served me coffee this morning, who does not have sick leave, deserves a vote. The person who gave me gas in my car deserves a vote,” James said. “We deserve a vote. and we deserve it now. And I urge the City Council to move this bill to the floor, and we demand a vote, and we demand it now.”

The bill to require many employers to provide paid sick leave has been around for years – it was first proposed back in 2010. But it began to take on new urgency for some lawmakers following the flu outbreak in January.

City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, a mayoral candidate, noted in January that many working parents have to choose whether to go to work or stay home and lose a day’s pay when a when a child gets sick.

“At minimum, you could lose a day’s pay,” he said. “At maximum, you could lose your job.”

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