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:

Jul 5, 2013 | Press Release

New York, NY - New York City Central Labor Council,  AFL-CIO President Vincent Alvarez has released the following statement on the MTA's decision to use Chinese-made steel to repair the Verrazano Bridge: 

Jul 10

Members of the District Council of Carpenters have been on strike against the Manufacturing Woodworkers Association.  The location of their picket line is below.  Please come out to show your support!

Jul 24

Join TWU Local 100 and Transit Forward to rally for safe, affordable, accessible and reliable transportation for all New Yorkers.

Jul 3, 2013 | News Story

On Tuesday, July 2, members of the Central Labor Council, Teamsters Local 237, workers, elected officials and supporters gathered in City Hall Park for a rally to save jobs, services and programs at

Oct 1, 2013 | News Story

 

Jun 25, 2013 | News Story

After nearly six weeks on strike, members of the Legal Services Staff Association, NOLSW/UAW Local 2320 (LSSA) Monday approved a contract that allows the employees of Legal Services NYC (LSNYC) to return to work representing New York City’s low-income communities.
 

Jun 24, 2013 | News Story

The New York City Council has created a unique partnership linking labor unions, community groups and a network of respected workforce providers to mobilize efforts that will benefit job seekers, the under employed and the unemployed New Yorkers.

Jun 19

The Brooklyn healthcare crisis cannot be used as an excuse to allow Wall Street to take over our hospitals. Right now, New York State does not allow for-profit corporations to run hospitals.

Jun 26

Join the CLC and the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) for a forum and panel discussion on a recent OSHA report which showed that non-union construction sites have been accounting for an increasing number of fatalities in New York City.

Jun 15

Nurses and healthcare workers care about the Bed-Stuy community and all of Central Brooklyn, and are proud of our hospital. But years of financial mismanagement have left Interfaith Medical Center (IMC) in a state of crisis.