Juneteenth could be paid holiday for city employees

The city of Pittsburgh could soon observe Juneteenth — a holiday in June to mark the end of slavery in the U.S. — in the same way it observes Thanksgiving, Christmas and Good Friday: a paid day off for employees.

Making good on his promise in August, Mayor Bill Peduto will introduce legislation Tuesday in City Council to make the holiday official.

The administration announced the move Monday, the first day of Black History Month.

“Throughout history, many have tried to silence Black voices. We have arrived in a critical time where they are finally getting the attention that they deserve — and they are being heard. Many of us, particularly privileged white men, have not always listened as much as we should have. The time is now to make that change permanent, and formally set aside this holiday to celebrate Black voices,” Mr. Peduto said on Aug. 29 at a voting rights event at St. Benedict the Moor Church in the Hill District.

Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19 to mark the day in 1865 when enslaved Black Americans in Texas were told they were free, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Because June 19 falls on a Saturday this year, the city would recognize the holiday on the preceding Friday, according to the mayor’s office.

Several states and cities across the U.S., including Pennsylvania, have already begun recognizing the day with office closures. A wave of large corporations, including PNC Bank, have joined in as well, giving employees paid time off.

The city currently gives employees 10 paid holidays.

City Council is set to discuss adding Juneteenth to the list on Feb. 10.