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 25, 2024 | News Story

After nearly two years without a raise, CUNY faculty and staff disrupted the CUNY Trustees’ public hearing on Monday, declaring “No Business as Usual!” until they get a fair offer.

Oct 25, 2024 | News Story

Thousands of construction workers joined The Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York (NYC BCTC) yesterday, rallying against anti-development campaigns led by special interest groups who oppose high rise construction with arguments that tall buildings will create shadows, obst

Oct 25, 2024 | News Story

The workers of Drunk Shakespeare have unanimously ratified their first union contract, bringing them to the finish line of their organization campaign with Actors’ Equity Association!

Oct 25, 2024 | News Story

Workers in RadicalMedia's nonfiction "Entertainment" group has unionized with the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) for the purpose of collective bargaining.

Oct 25, 2024 | News Story

NY Times management has slow-walked bargaining and attacked the Tech Guild every step of the way since workers first announced their intent to unionize in 2021.

Oct 25, 2024 | News Story

The elected members of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) player leadership have officially opted out of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), two years before its expiration, following the advice and recommendation of an advisory committee comprised of leadi

Oct 25, 2024 | News Story

On Wednesday, NYC CLC President Vincent Alvarez moderated a conversation between experts navigating New York City’s profound role and continuing resilience within the green economy landscape at The Association for a Better New York (ABNY).

Oct 25, 2024 | News Story

This Halloween, hand out sweet treats made by the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers’ International Union members around the country!

Oct 18, 2024 | News Story

Congresswoman Grace Meng recently joined leaders in Queens from Local 3 IBEW, the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund, and the New York Electrical Contractors Association (NYECA) to celebrate the announcement of $3.8 million in funding for a state-of-the-art green energy training center for elect

Oct 18, 2024 | News Story

Eleven days ahead of the 25th annual New Yorker Festival, the magazine’s most star-studded and high-profile event, the New Yorker Union, a bargaining unit of The NewsGuild of New York, has settled on a Tentative Agreement with parent company Condé Nast.