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:

Dec 27, 2024 | News Story

Thousands of Amazon workers have ended their days-long strike against the company, but the the Teamsters are warning that their efforts are only beginning.

Dec 27, 2024 | News Story

Between December 20th and 24th, thousands of Starbucks baristas walked off the job, closing hundreds of stores in 43 states. Together, these were the biggest ULP strikes in Starbucks history. (Pictured: striking workers outside the flagship NYC Reserve Roastery in Chelsea.)

Dec 20, 2024 | News Story

The Teamsters yesterday launched the largest strike against Amazon in U.S. history, following Amazon’s repeated refusal to follow the law and bargain with the thousands of Amazon workers who organized with the Teamsters.

Dec 20, 2024 | News Story

REI SoHo ski shop workers unionized with the RWDSU walked off the job on a ULP strike on Wed, Dec 4, and remain on the picket line. Ski shop workers are required to melt plastic and wax to repair skis, up to 8-15 pairs a day at the peak of ski season.

Dec 20, 2024 | News Story

The Professional Staff Congress has reached a tentative contract agreement with the City University of New York that will provide 13.4 percent in compounded raises and increase the minimum pay for adjuncts by 29 percent over the course of the pact.

Dec 20, 2024 | News Story

Governor Hochul can make New York a leader in protecting the public and its workers by signing the LOADinG Act (S. 7543-B Gonzalez/A. 9430-B Otis).

Dec 13, 2024 | News Story

REI SoHo ski shop workers unionized with the RWDSU walked off the job on a ULP strike on Wed, Dec 4, and remain on the picket line. Ski shop workers are required to melt plastic and wax to repair skis, up to 8-15 pairs a day at the peak of ski season.

Dec 13, 2024 | News Story

Workers at New York's famous Strand Book Store represented by United Auto Workers Local 2179 have reached a tentative contract agreement with their employer, putting an end to a

Dec 13, 2024 | News Story

The New York Times Guild, a unit of The NewsGuild of New York, announced on Tuesday that it has reached a tentative agreement with The New York Times Company on a new collective bargaining contract after more than two years of negotiations.

Dec 13, 2024 | News Story

A supermajority of employees from the International Rescue Committee office of New York have announced their intent to form a union with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153.