GROUP ADVOCATES FOR BREWER BILL

with president barack obama declaring h1n1, a.k.a. swine flu, a national emergency, labor groups are pushing for passage of a city council bill that would require businesses to give paid sick days to employees.

in august, council member gale brewer sponsored the bill, modeled after a law in san francisco, and is expecting a committee hearing on nov. 17.

in the meantime, she rallied for her legislation in union square with paid sick leave advocates. brewer acted as a judge in a costume contest that was promoting a new subway ad campaign for her bill. in a white lab coat, mask and stethoscope, she awarded germ-themed costumes with titles of "most contagious" and "best newly discovered."

"'if you're sick, stay home.' it's a message everyone gets," brewer said. "but a lot of people cannot stay home because they will be fired."