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 4, 2024 | News Story

On Tuesday, postal workers who are members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) rallied with the public in front of postal facilities across the country to sound the alarm about the United States Postal Service’s substandard performance and service to communities.

Oct 4, 2024 | News Story

The devastation and loss of life we’re all seeing and reading about in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is historic and catastrophic in nature. In response to the disaster, the AFL-CIO has activated its Union Community Fund.

Oct 4, 2024 | News Story

New York City has over 8 million people – but its hometown newspaper only has a unionized editorial staff of 50. Alden Global Capital, a hedge fund known as the “destroyer of newspapers,” has hacked staff levels to the bone.

Oct 4, 2024 | News Story

Union members in New York City are fired up to get out the vote for worker-friendly candidates up and down the ballot! Events are happening both locally and in nearby battleground states and we are all-in!

Sep 27, 2024 | News Story

The Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc., Associated Musicians of Greater New York, American Federation of Musicians Local 802, and Musicians of the New York Philharmonic have jointly announced the ratification of a new three-year contract, effective September 21, 2024, through Septemb

Sep 27, 2024 | News Story

New York City has over 8 million people – but its hometown newspaper only has a unionized editorial staff of 50. Alden Global Capital, a hedge fund known as the “destroyer of newspapers,” has hacked staff levels to the bone.

Sep 27, 2024 | News Story

On Wednesday, NYC CLC Chief of Staff Brendan Griffith testified before the NYC Council Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection in support of Intro 865, a bill that

Sep 27, 2024 | News Story

Union members in New York City are fired up to get out the vote for worker-friendly candidates up and down the ballot! Events are happening both locally and in nearby battleground states and we are all-in!