Monthly Archives: September 2015

Today is the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. Also known as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur is celebrated each year at the end of the high holy days. It is the holiest and most solemn day of the year in the Hebrew calendar and is traditionally observed with fasting and intensive prayer.

Philadelphia has put a new city ordinance in place that implements its policy of ensuring that all employees – whether working for a public or private entity – within the city limits, get paid sick time. Bill number 141026 became effective in May. With one notable exception for people working under a collective bargaining agreement, it applies to all construction and development companies.

We have continued to follow legislation put forth in the Pennsylvania legislature that seeks to close a loophole in the criminal code that provides exemptions for stalking, harassing, and threatening to use a weapon of mass destruction if it is done during a labor dispute. The newest version, Pennsylvania House Bill 874, has passed out of the House and been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 9-4 vote. It now seems primed to come to the Senate floor for a full vote.

Labor Day is traditionally filled with last trips to the beach and barbecues during the long weekend that marks the end of summer. Like Memorial Day in May though, it’s a good time to pause for a moment or two and understand the reason why we have this federal holiday.

As previously reported, the Kaplin Stewart Construction Law Department took the ALS ice bucket challenge recently. The event was a great success and even attracted some media attention. For some great photographs of the moments of truth, go here for the Times Herald’s coverage.