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:

Jan 22, 2021 | News Story

On Wednesday, New York City announced it had canceled over 23,000 COVID-19 vaccination appointments this week.

Jan 22, 2021 | News Story

The Town Board's approval of the Host Community Agreement and easement for the Beach Lane route to site the offshore wind transmission cable is a crucial step forward in New York’s progress to harness 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy.

Jan 22, 2021 | News Story

For the last 20 years, the New York State AFL-CIO has co-sponsored, with Cornell University, the Union Leadership Institute (ULI).

Jan 22, 2021 | News Story

Does your union have members that want to get more involved in their communities?

Jan 8, 2021 | News Story

This week, working families across our city and nation were witness to one of the darkest days in our history, as a violent mob stormed the Capitol in an effort to overturn a free and fair election and prevent a peaceful and Constitutional transfer of power.

Jan 8, 2021 | News Story

Last month, Queens Defenders employees

Jan 8, 2021 | News Story

AFM Local 802 is responding to the Metropolitan Opera's decision to hire non-Met musicians to perform under the banner of the Metropolitan Opera at the Opera's New Year's Eve gala.

Dec 23, 2020 | News Story

On Monday, the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, held a food distribution event which provided holiday meals to more than 200 working families in NYC.

Dec 23, 2020 | News Story

Today, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union’s (RWDSU), announced that by a vote of 88% to 12%,