Judge approves delay to implement paid sick leave ordinance

SAN ANTONIO – A judge on Wednesday approved an agreement to delay the implementation of the city of San Antonio's paid sick leave ordinance until Dec. 1.

The ruling means the ordinance will not go into effect Aug. 1, which was the date approved by City Council.

"The City will continue to defend the ordinance," said City Attorney Andy Segovia. "This extension allows the Council-appointed Paid Sick Leave Commission time to complete their review and provide recommendations to City Council. Moreover, today's decision avoids an indefinite injunction, such as what happened to the City of Austin's nearly identical ordinance. With more time, stakeholders can proceed with recommendations that best position the ordinance against potential legal challenges." 

Had the judge not accepted the agreed order, the court would have proceeded with a hearing on a temporary injunction, which would have potentially put a halt to the entire process, a city news release said.