I'm With My Gal Sykes On This One

Sorry. Ted's wrong. I know he's gotta stay in bussiness's good graces, but they've had way too long to implement these rule changes for paid maternity leave. I'm sure all the business community wants is to "be heard." ROFL, yea right. From the Cinci Post:

The chairwoman of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission won't honor the governor's request to delay a requirement that companies with four or more employees allow women 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave.

Chairwoman Barbara Sykes, appointed to the job by Gov. Ted Strickland in August, said Friday she won't try to stop a legislative hearing over the requirement.

Kent Markus, Strickland's top office attorney, asked Sykes on Tuesday to delay the hearing to make sure small businesses have the chance to voice their concerns about the proposal.

A legislative committee that approves such rule changes is scheduled to hear the issue and vote on the proposal Dec. 3. If approved, the rule would take effect within 10 days.

Women's rights advocates are coming out strongly in support of the change -- against the Governor. Here's a snippet of something that came my way.

The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR) is finally hearing the rule change proposal at their next meeting, Monday December 3rd at 1:30pm.  The business community is coming out hard against this proposal, so we would like to make sure that the members of the committee hear from supporters as well.  If you (or someone you know) has had an experience where they were not given enough time off following the birth or adoption of a child, and would be willing to testify (either in person or via submitting written testimony to the committee) please let me know and I can get you all of the details of what you would need to do.

If you would like to just show your support for the proposal I would encourage you to take a few minutes and call the members of the committee to tell them that you support the proposed change to the maternity leave rules that would guarantee a minimum of 12 weeks of unpaid leave following the birth or adoption of a new child.

Here are the members of the committee:
Rep Ross McGregor- 466-2038
Rep Clyde Evans- 466-1366
Rep William Batchelder- 466-8140
Rep Fred Strahorn- 466-2960
Rep Sandra Stabile Harwood- 466-3488
Senator Tom Niehaus- 466-8082
Senator Robert Schuler- 466-9737
Senator Timothy Grendell- 644-7718
Senator Capri Cafaro- 466-7182
Senator Sue Morano- 644-7613

Well, get on that!