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:

Mar 8, 2019 | News Story

The votes are in—Registered Nurses at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Montefiore, Mt. Sinai, Mt. Sinai West, and St. Luke's have voted by 97% (8533-230) to authorize a strike. Between these hospitals, NYSNA represents more than 10,000 nurses whose contract expired in December of 2018.

Mar 8, 2019 | News Story

City University of New York students say “We believe in our dreams. Why won't Albany believe in us?" in this new TV ad from the Professional Staff Congress, the union representing 30,000 faculty and staff.

Mar 8, 2019 | News Story

The 169-member editorial staff at Gizmodo Media Group has unanimously ratified its second collective bargaining agreement with the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE).

Mar 8, 2019 | News Story

Join the NYC Central Labor Council on April 11th to celebrate our 60th Anniversary and honor Robert Bonanza, Business Manager, LIUNA Mason Tenders District Council; Gloria Middleton, President, CWA Local 1180; and the Independent Drivers Guild, a non-profit affiliate of the Machinists Union.

Mar 15, 2019 | News Story

Air travelers and airline workers won an important fight for aviation safety this week after the Transport Workers Union led the charge, calling for Boeing 737 Max 8 airplanes to be grounded until the cause of the weekend crash in Ethiopia is determined.

Mar 15, 2019 | News Story

In a first for the podcasting industry, the 83-person staff of Gimlet Media, a podcasting startup acquired by music streaming service Spotify for $230 million in February, is unionizing with the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE).

Mar 15, 2019 | News Story

In response to Federal tax cuts for the wealthy, which have resulted in a proposed $550 million ($1.1 billion with Federal matching funds) cut in State healthcare funding,

Mar 25

Join Workers United/SEIU (ILGWU) for the commemoration of the 108th anniversary of the 1911 Triangle Factory Fire, one of the pivotal events in US history and a turning point in labor’s struggle to achieve fair wages, dignity at work and safe working conditions.

Feb 14, 2019 | Press Release

New York, NY - It’s unfortunate that Amazon has chosen to walk away from LIC HQ2, prematurely ending discussions that could have resulted in a mutually beneficial economic development model that respects all workers.