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 6, 2023 | News Story

Momentum continues to build as postdoctoral researchers organize unions across the city with UAW.

Oct 6, 2023 | News Story

Workers at Hex & Co., the three-location board game bar/cafe chain including the largest board game cafe in Manhattan, delivered a letter to their management in late September asserting their right to collectively bargain, and asking them to voluntarily recognize their union with Workers Unit

Oct 6, 2023 | News Story

On Thursday evening, the musicians of the New York City Ballet Orchestra (members of AFM Local 802) ralied at Lincoln Center's Fall Gala to demand a fair contract with the wages and healthcare they deserve, instead of being asked to make financial concessions once again.

Oct 6, 2023 | News Story

On Sept. 26, LaFontaine Oliver, the CEO of New York Public Radio, said he planned to lay off 12% of the organization's workforce in the coming days.

Oct 6, 2023 | News Story

NYC's Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) recently announced that since November 2020, the City of New York has completed 10 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects on City properties; doubling the City’s total capacity to a total of 22 MW.

Oct 6, 2023 | News Story

On October 5, we recognized Latina Equal Pay Day, marking the symbolic date to which Latinas have to work—almost 22 months—to catch up to what their white, non-Hispanic male co-workers earned in 2022 alone.

Oct 6, 2023 | News Story

As of last Friday, there are now

Oct 6, 2023 | News Story

October 10-October 13: SAG-AFTRA members are still out on the picket lines and need our support! This week, TWU joined the actors in solidarity, picketing in front of NBC Universal at 30 Rock.

Sep 29, 2023 | News Story

After nearly 150 days on strike, the Writers Guild of America this week reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on a new three-year Minimum Basic Agreement, with the Negotiating Committee, the WGAW Board and WGAE Council all voting unanimously to

Sep 29, 2023 | News Story

With the UAW entering its third week on strike today, 5,600 workers at 38 parts distribution plants operated by Stellantis and GM have now joined the 12,900 workers at GM's Wentzville, MO plant, Ford's Michigan Assembly plant and Stellantis' Toledo, OH Jeep plant who walked off the job on Septemb