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:

Jun 16, 2022 | Press Release

FIFA’s choice of New York City to host games follows local officials’ meaningful commitments to leading labor and community groups

Jun 10, 2022 | News Story

The musicians of Distinguished Concerts International New York are fighting for a fair contract with the help of AFM Local 802. The orchestra performed a live musical rally on Monday night, with the sounds of a brass band echoing over the sidewalks of Carnegie Hall.

Jun 10, 2022 | News Story

"Workers are already on the frontlines of climate change," write NYC CLC President Vincent Alvarez and Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York President Gary LaBarbera in an OpEd published in PoliticsNY this week.

Jun 10, 2022 | News Story

After spending years in legislative limbo, a bill that would significantly increase fines issued to construction companies found criminally liable for worker injuries or fatalities was passed by the Legislature last week.

Jun 10, 2022 | News Story

Actors' Equity Association celebrated the news this week that the National Endowments of the Arts (NEA) will create a chief diversity officer for the first time in the agency’s history.

Jun 10, 2022 | News Story

Are you a union member working in a climate job? Climate Jobs National Resource Center's nationwide photography contest, The Future Is Union: Climate Urgency Through the Eyes of Workers is still open.

Jul 25

Every year, United Association for Labor Education sponsors four regional “women’s schools.” These residential programs typically last between 4 and 5 days, and include classes and workshops on a variety of union-related topics.

Jun 3, 2022 | News Story

On Wednesday, the NYC CLC hosted our annual labor and civil rights event in the form of a panel discussion centering around how union membership has contributed to narrowing the inequality gap and how it can continue to build solidarity in an effort to create prosperity that is felt by all worker

Jun 3, 2022 | News Story

Wireless tower technicians organizing to form a union with CWA released a powerful video this week describing the struggles faced by workers in the industry and calling on tower climbers, everywhere, to come together, join

Jun 3, 2022 | News Story

At the Committee on Finance Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Hearing on 5/25, Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Campaign Director Tory Kaso and CJNY union members testified before the New York City Council, urging their support for an investment to create thousands of good union jobs and reduce emissions ac