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:

Jul 6, 2018 | News Story

The 2019 Union Plus Scholarship application is now open! Since 1991, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $4.3 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education.

Jul 20, 2018 | News Story

Yesterday, Verizon workers represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) announced a tentative agreement on a four year extension of the current contract, which was set to expire in August 2019.

Jul 26

Moderators and panelists include:

Vincent Alvarez, President, NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Jul 20, 2018 | News Story

For almost 20 years, the Union Semester program has supported dozens of activists in the labor movement, connecting passionate students with organizations who can benefit from their contributions.

Oct 11

Join the NYC Central Labor Council, the Murphy Institute at CUNY, and the Worker Institute at Cornell ILR for a series of six workshops focused on the fundamental skills and strategy necessary to strengthen our unions in this crucial moment.

Sep 27

Join the NYC Central Labor Council, the Murphy Institute at CUNY, and the Worker Institute at Cornell ILR for a series of six workshops focused on the fundamental skills and strategy necessary to strengthen our unions in this crucial moment.

Sep 13

Join the NYC Central Labor Council, the Murphy Institute at CUNY, and the Worker Institute at Cornell ILR for a series of six workshops focused on the fundamental skills and strategy necessary to strengthen our unions in this crucial moment.

Aug 30

Join the NYC Central Labor Council, the Murphy Institute at CUNY, and the Worker Institute at Cornell ILR for a series of six workshops focused on the fundamental skills and strategy necessary to strengthen our unions in this crucial moment.

Aug 16

Join the NYC Central Labor Council, the Murphy Institute at CUNY, and the Worker Institute at Cornell ILR for a series of six workshops focused on the fundamental skills and strategy necessary to strengthen our unions in this crucial moment.

Aug 2

Join the NYC Central Labor Council, the Murphy Institute at CUNY, and the Worker Institute at Cornell ILR for a series of six workshops focused on the fundamental skills and strategy necessary to strengthen our unions in this crucial moment.