Health Care

Health care is a basic human right.  America’s labor movement has worked for more than a century for guaranteed high-quality health care for everyone.  The Affordable Care Act is a historic milestone on this journey, but we still have a long way to go.

America must continue moving forward toward a more equitable and cost-effective health care system. Moving forward means working with employers to demand health care payment and delivery reforms to control costs, allowing people of all ages to buy into the equivalent of Medicare through a public plan option and allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.  Of course, the most cost-effective and equitable way to provide quality health care is through the social insurance model (“Medicare for All”), as other industrialized countries have shown. 

The worst thing we could do is move backward by repealing the Affordable Care Act or its key provisions; privatizing Medicare or turning it into a voucher program; raising the Medicare eligibility age; increasing Medicare co-pays and deductibles or otherwise cutting Medicare benefits; or taxing employment-based health care benefits. 

More about this issue:

Nov 8

Wednesday, November 8, 6 -7:30PM: Please join the New York Labor History Association and the Tamiment Library and Robert F.

Nov 17

Friday, November 17, 10AM-12PM: This webinar will discuss the importance of Unemployment Insurance Reform to the labor movement. Unions are a powerful voice for their members and all working people in New York State.

Oct 20, 2023 | News Story

The orchestra of NYC music producer Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY), members of American Federation of Musicians Local 802, has reached a 5 year tentative agreement after eight months on strike and four years of bargaining.

Oct 20, 2023 | News Story

Allies from the NYC Labor Movement rallied in New York City on Wednesday in support of BCTGM Local 390G workers on strike against International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) in Memphis, Tenn.

Oct 20, 2023 | News Story

On Tuesday, the NYC CLC and UFT held our Future in Focus: Exploring the World of Organized Labor and Unionized Careers event, an opportunity for students to learn about unionized careers in New York City, as well as collective bargaining and the impact of organized labor on our society.

Oct 20, 2023 | News Story

RWDSU/UFCW Local 338, UFCW Local 1500 and UFCW Local 342 gathered in Manhattan's Astor Place Wednesday morning to show Wegmans that New York is a union town! Members educated opening day shoppers on the #UnionDifference and encouraged them to support the workers if they choose to unionize.

Oct 18

Union members and labor allies of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) prepare to protest outside the headquarters of International Flavors & Fragrances at 521 W. 57th St. in New York City on October 18th.

Oct 13, 2023 | News Story

Nearly 113 years after the tragedy, the long-awaited public memorial to the victims and legacy of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was dedicated Wednesday in front of a crowd numbering in the thousands at th

Oct 13, 2023 | News Story

The musicians of the New York City Ballet Orchestra, represented by AFM Local 802, rallied this week outside Lincoln Center as the ballet celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Oct 13, 2023 | News Story

The Jewish Museum unionized staff have voted overwhelmingly to ratify their first union contract after over a year of organizing and negotiations.