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 16, 2021 | News Story

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has signed an agreement with AFGE removing anti-worker provisions from the contract and taking steps to renegotia

Apr 16, 2021 | News Story

In the week following a report that shed light on several allegations of abuse and intimidation by Broadway and film producer Scott Rudin, three performers’ unions—Actors’ Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, and the American Federation of Musicians Local 802—have released a statement denouncing harass

Apr 16, 2021 | News Story

On Monday, hundreds of parents and community leaders braved the cold rain to rally in support of School Safety Agents, members of Teamsters Local 237. Local 237 President Gregory Floyd told the crowd: “The City Council held a hearing and the parents were not heard from...

Apr 16, 2021 | News Story

Yesterday, unionized editorial employees at Ziff Davis — Mashable, PCMag and AskMen — walked off the job for 24 hours to protest the company’s failure to agree to a living wage for all employees and to demand that management bargain in good faith.

Apr 28

Join us on April 28, Workers' Memorial Day, to commemorate workers we've lost this year.

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Apr 9, 2021 | News Story

The budget deal passed in Albany this week represents a crucial step forward for promoting good, family-sustaining, community-supporting union jobs in the renewable energy sector.

Apr 9, 2021 | News Story

In addition to the renewable energy job standards detailed above, the newly-passed state budget includes several other important victories on behalf of working people. Among them:

Apr 9, 2021 | News Story

Actors’ Equity Association welcomed the good news that New York State’s new budget, announced this week, includes renewing its COBRA subsidy program with $2 million funding.

Apr 9, 2021 | News Story

The New York City Central Labor Council will host a series of volunteer activities throughout the 2021 Election cycle in NYC to educate, engage and activate members of union households.

Apr 9, 2021 | News Story

Yesterday, working people across our nation flooded the Senate phone lines with support for the PRO Act as part of the AFL-CIO National Day of Action. Our outdated labor laws are no longer strong enough to protect us in the workplace.