
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 19, 1990                   TAG: 9006190442
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A/2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

WHITE HOUSE SAYS FAMILY LEAVE VETO NOT POLICY CHANGE

President Bush is prepared to veto a bill that guarantees parental-care leave to workers even though as a candidate in 1988 he endorsed such time off in his appeal for a "kinder, gentler" America.

The White House insisted Monday that Bush's position hasn't changed. Then, as now, he only supports such protection if it is voluntary for employers, said presidential spokeswoman Alixe Glen.

"He has always been opposed to the federal government dictating or mandating what every business in this country should do. This particular bill would badly impact a lot of companies," Glen said.

At issue is legislation given final congressional approval last Thursday that would guarantee workers as much as 12 weeks' unpaid leave for childbirth, adoption or serious family illnesses. The measure would apply to all businesses with 50 or more employees.

White House press secretary Marlin Fitzwater said Bush stands ready to cast the 13th veto of his presidency on the leave bill. "I wouldn't be surprised to see it this week," he said.

During his presidential campaign, Bush touched on the issue of parental care as he spoke to a Republican women's group in Rockford, Ill., on Sept. 9, 1988.

Departing from his text, then-Vice President Bush told the Illinois Federation of Republican Women: "Look, we also need to assure that women don't have to worry about getting their jobs back after having a child or caring for a child during serious illness."

Bush did not elaborate at the time on whether the protection should be voluntary on the part of businesses.

by CNB