Council Member Darius Brown’s Paid Parental Leave Legislation is Approved by City Council
Legislation affords the City’s 270 non-union employees 20 days of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child six years or younger; the new employee benefit could be extended to other employees through collective bargaining
The City of Wilmington’s 270 non-union employees will now be able to use up to 20 days of paid leave when they or their spouse or partner give birth or adopt a child who is six years of age or younger. City Council on Thursday night approved legislation sponsored by 3rd District Council Member Darius Brown that establishes a parental leave program. Brown said he sponsored the Ordinance to foster bonding between children and their parents, which he said is especially important immediately following the birth or adoption of a small child.
At the moment, the newly established City benefit applies only to the City’s 270 employees who are not affiliated with a labor union. The City’s other 837 employees who are union employees would receive the benefit only after it is negotiated by their union during collective bargaining talks with the City. The new law is estimated to initially cost about $10,000 annually when offered to non-union employees only and is estimated to cost approximately $340,000 annually should all City employees be entitled to access paid parental leave. The paid leave must be used by an employee within the first four weeks immediately following either the birth or adoption of a child.
Brown said the new parental leave program will also improve worker productivity and morale, help City employees balance their work and home lives and lessen financial hardships associated with caring for new child. “I am proud that we did this and I thank my colleagues for their support and for the support I received from the Williams Administration to craft the legislation,” said Brown.
For more information about this news release, contact:
John Rago
Communications and Policy Development Director
Wilmington City Council
Phone: (302) 576-2149
Mobile: (302) 420-7928
Email: jrago@WilmingtonDE.gov