Work and Family

Although the “traditional” family—a father who works outside the home and financially supports the children and a mother whose work is keeping the house and raising the children—has been disappearing for more than a generation, our workplaces and government policies have not kept pace with America’s new reality.

Most children are growing up in homes with both parents working or with single parents. One-third of workers don’t have access to paid sick leave, and only 42 percent have paid personal leave. What’s the impact on public health when working people can’t afford to take sick days during a flu epidemic? Who takes care of a sick child? Who’s home to fix dinner and help with homework? Who can dedicate time to a sick elderly parent?

The recession and jobless recovery have complicated life further for working families, when having to leave work for a family emergency could lead to long-term unemployment.

More about this issue:

Apr 21, 2023 | News Story

Julie Su has made a career out of representing not only workers, but the most vulnerable workers in America. Her record speaks for itself. As a young attorney representing trafficked Thai garment workers outside of Los Angeles, she won $4 million in stolen wages.

Apr 21, 2023 | News Story

Striking workers of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library, an Upper Manhattan institution dedicated to Portuguese and Spanish art, staged an action outside the Upper East Side residence of Board Chair Philippe de Montebello this week, with support from their UAW siblings from across the City.

Apr 21, 2023 | News Story

Stressing the service and sacrifices made by transit workers throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic, TWU Local 100 President Richard Davis kicked off contract negotiations with the MTA this week with a presentation of general

Apr 21

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Rana Plaza building collapse, which killed more than 1,138 garment workers and injured hundreds more. Today, nearly 200 brands have joined the International Accord, a life-saving agreement for worker safety in garment factories.

Apr 14, 2023 | News Story

On Monday, Attorney General Letitia James and more than ten labor unions joined forces to rally for a $21.25 minimum wage in the final state budget.

Apr 14, 2023 | News Story

Actors’ Equity Association, the national union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers working in live theatre, and The Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway industry, announced yesterday that they have reached a new, three-year collective b

Apr 14, 2023 | News Story

Tens of thousands of people who work for New York City will soon get their first raise since the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the city’s largest municipal employee union – AFSCME District Council 37 – earlier this month voted 97.7% in favor of the citywide economic contract.

Apr 14, 2023 | News Story

The New York City Council this week resoundingly passed a resolution demanding Wendy’s join the Fair Food Program, a groundbreaking initiative that guarantees the rights of farmworkers on farms under its protection.

Apr 14, 2023 | News Story

More than 40 progressive organizations, including the AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, Women’s March, and GreenPeace, have voiced their support for unionizing Starbucks workers in a letter to the company’s new CEO, Laxman Narasimhan.

Apr 14, 2023 | News Story

April 4 was the 55th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.