COLUMBUS A business group accused Ohio's governor of "trying to create a very dangerous compromise" on a proposed mandatory sick-leave referendum scheduled for the November ballot.

David Zanotti, president and chief executive officer of the Ohio Roundtable, said there should be no compromise.

"It's out of the question," he said Tuesday.

The measure would require employers of 25 or more people to provide seven paid sick-leave days per year. Supporters are expected to turn in enough petition signatures next week to place the issue on the ballot.

ULTERIOR MOTIVE?

Zanotti said Democratic leaders, including Gov. Ted Strickland, are using the measure to generate voter turnout so they also will vote for Democratic candidates on the ballot.

"We disagree with that characterization," said Keith Dailey, the governor's press secretary.

"The state Democratic Party's No. 1 goal in this election is to take control of the Ohio Legislature," Zanotti said. "They believe this mandatory sick-leave measure will help them reach their goal."

A gay-marriage ban on the 2004 Ohio ballot helped turnout voters for President Bush and other Republican candidates.

House Democrats need to pick up four seats to take control of the 99-member House.

"The governor is seeking a common sense compromise," Dailey said, "that effectively balances employee interests in paid time off when they are sick or ill with what businesses have indicated, which is to efficiently manage their work force."

Dale Butland, communications director of Ohioans for Healthy Families, called Zanotti's opposition "hardly surprising. He's been virtually against any legislative policy that would help average people, including raising the minimum wage."

Proponents of the issue sent it to the Legislature in January as proposed legislation, but it has gone nowhere.

A 'GROSS INSULT'

Zanotti calls the referendum "Play Sick Ohio," but Butland said that is a "gross insult to the millions of hardworking Ohioans who want to take an occasional day off when they're sick. He thinks Ohioans are closet liars and cheaters."

Zanotti said the measure would prevent business owners and workers from negotiating benefits and it would increase job loss in the state, while Butland said it would save employers money.

The Ohio Roundtable is sending a brochure to more than 12,000 community leaders, business people and clergy across the state spelling out its opposition. It's encouraging them to call Strickland to dissuade him from reaching a compromise.

"There is no room here for a deal because this measure is dishonest and unconstitutional from the start," Zanotti said.

"We're happy to leave this in the hands of the voters," Butland said.