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:

Mar 10, 2023 | News Story

After more than a year of bargaining, the union membership of the Whitney Museum Union of Local 2110 UAW have voted overwhelmingly to ratify their first union contract with the Museum.

Mar 10, 2023 | News Story

President Biden unveiled his new federal budget yesterday, building on his commitment to fostering an economy that focuses on putting working families first.

Mar 10, 2023 | News Story

We join Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Reps. Bobby Scott (Va.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) in their call to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Working people are sick of corporations raking in record profits while we can barely support our families.

Mar 3, 2023 | News Story

On Tuesday, President Biden announced his nomination of Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su to succeed Marty Walsh as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement:

Mar 3, 2023 | News Story

With their union contract set to expire the next day, almost 500 CUNY faculty and staff rallied outside CUNY’s Midtown headquarters Monday morning to take their demands for a new contract straight to management’s front door.

Mar 3, 2023 | News Story

NYSNA Health+Hospitals/Mayorals nurses held a system-wide day of action including a rally and speakout along with candlelight vigils yesterday to mark the expiration of their contract at 11 city-run hospitals.

Mar 3, 2023 | News Story

After delivering a petition last week signed by a majority of contract faculty, NYU contract faculty with Contract Faculty United – UAW, campus allies, and NYC Comptroller Brad Lander rallied Wednesday to tell the university administration to respect their right to collective bargaining and agree

Mar 3, 2023 | News Story

We join Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Reps. Bobby Scott (Va.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.) in their call to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Working people are sick of corporations raking in record profits while we can barely support our families.

Feb 24, 2023 | News Story

More than 250 legal service workers at the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), unionized under the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys - UAW Local 2325 (ALAA), held a two-day strike this week as part of their fight for a fair contract.

Feb 24, 2023 | News Story

Resident physicians at Montefiore Medical Center, one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City, celebrated yesterday after learning that they had successfully won union representation with a supermajority of 82% voting in favor of joining the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU