The Earned Sick Days Law passed this morning in City Council with a 14-2 vote. The controversial bill, vetoed twice by Mayor Nutter, will require employers to offer paid sick leave to their workers.

Councilman Bill Greenlee, the bill’s life-long champion, was praised for his dedication by fellow City Council members as well as Philadelphia’s community leaders who came to show their support in City Hall this morning. Greenlee thanked everyone for their patience towards his aggressive lobbying over the years.

Only Councilmen David Oh and Brian O’Neill, two of City Council’s three Republicans, voted no to the bill.

While he stands against its final draft, Oh commended Greenlee in front of Council, saying that “iron sharpens iron” regarding their divergent opinions.

“While I’m on the other side of this issue,” Oh said. “I admire his tenacity, perseverance, and good will, and I want to congratulate him on his victory.”

Critics of the bill argued mainly over the minimum number of employees, saying the bill should only apply to larger companies. Representatives from the restaurant and hotel industries also lobbied for more flexible policies like partial sick days. But with the its passing, the bill will require companies with ten or more employees to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked.

Mayor Nutter signed the bill into action at 2 P.M. today.