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:

Nov 17, 2023 | News Story

Management at Pushkin Industries, the popular podcast production company co-founded by Jacob Weisberg and Malcolm Gladwell, has voluntarily recognized the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) as the collective bargaining representatives of the staff’s producers, editors, and engineers.

Nov 17, 2023 | News Story

The ballots have been counted and the UAW has announced that Weill Cornell Medicine postdocs have voted by an overwhelming 98.8% to form their union, Weill Cornell Medicine Postdocs United-UAW!

Nov 17, 2023 | News Story

This week marked two years since Writers Guild of America East members at MSNBC (

Nov 17, 2023 | News Story

Registered apprenticeships are good for employers and good for working people. Employers develop a highly skilled workforce, and working people get paid work experience, classroom learning and a pathway to success.

Nov 17, 2023 | News Story

When you buy union, you’re supporting good jobs in American communities, jobs that provide living wages and benefits, safe working conditions, and dignity and respect for work. Look for quality products, produced by union members, when preparing for your Thanksgiving feast.

Nov 17, 2023 | News Story

As the holiday shopping season gets underway, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), has issued a statement urging workers be treated with dignity and respect from in-store shopping to e-commerce warehousing, from farm to table and everything in between:

Nov 10, 2023 | News Story

On Wednesday, SAG-AFTRA's TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee voted unanimously to approve a tentative agreement with the AMPTP. As of 12:01am on November 9, the 118 day long strike has been officially suspended and all picket locations are closed. From SAG-AFTRA's statement:

Nov 10, 2023 | News Story

Last Friday, workers at the Uncommons, Manhattan’s first board game cafe, located in the West Village,

Nov 10, 2023 | News Story

Unionized employees at Conde Nast took action Wednesday, delivering a petition that demanded corporate transparency after