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:

Oct 22, 2021 | News Story

The Legal Services Staff Association, NOLSW/UAW 2320 (LSSA), has settled its union contract with employer Legal Services NYC (LSNYC). With 90% of members participating, the contract was ratified by 80% voting yes.

Oct 22, 2021 | News Story

During American Clean Power's Offshore Wind Conference in Boston last week, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the nation's path forward to achieve 30GW of offshore wind by 2030.

Oct 22, 2021 | News Story

Did you know that when you do your Halloween shopping, you can use the power of your paycheck to support good jobs that pay well and respect the rights of working people?

Oct 15, 2021 | News Story

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees International President Matthew Loeb announced this week that unless an agreement is reached, union members will begin a nationwide strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on Monday, October 18 at 12:01 a.

Oct 15, 2021 | News Story

On Tuesday, October 12, Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer joined home care members and advocates in the Manhattan headquarters of 1199SEIU to urge Congress to pass President Biden’s Better Care Better Jobs Act.

Oct 15, 2021 | News Story

The 100th birthday party of Local 802 was a smash success, featuring top union bands and visits from Senator Chuck Schumer, CLC President Vinny Alvarez and many other allies.

Oct 15, 2021 | News Story

More than 10,000 UAW John Deere members struck at midnight on Thursday after the company failed to present an agreement that met members’ demands and needs, in what's currently the largest private sector strike in the U.S. in two years.

Oct 8, 2021 | News Story

On September 27, the New York State Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) certified Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW as the union to represent twelve agricultural workers employed at Pindar Vineyards in Peconic, New York.

Oct 8, 2021 | News Story

At midnight on Oct. 5, 1,400 workers at four Kellogg's Co. plants in Battle Creek, Michigan; Omaha, Nebraska; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Memphis, Tennessee went on strike against the company.

Oct 1, 2021 | News Story

The city’s largest transit workers union on Thursday unveiled a memorial to its 110 members who have been killed by COVID-19.