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 1, 2024 | News Story

The unionized employees of Mobilization for Justice, Inc. (MFJ) last Friday voted to reject MFJ management's contract offer and declared an indefinite strike.

Mar 1, 2024 | News Story

The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on the Basic Theatrical Motion Picture and Basic Television Motion Picture contracts.

Mar 1, 2024 | News Story

Full time, non-tenure track faculty at New York University have voted by an overwhelming margin (553 to 72, or 89.5%) in favor of joining Contract Faculty United - UAW (CFU-UAW).

Mar 1, 2024 | News Story

A crowd of more than 1,200 doctors, nurses, hospital workers, and community members joined union members and elected officials to shut down a section of Clarkson Avenue across from SUNY Downstate University Hospital on Thursday to loudly express their support for keeping Downstate open and condem

Mar 1, 2024 | News Story

Staffing shortages in the public sector are at crisis levels.

Feb 23, 2024 | News Story

Starbucks workers in Park Slope, Westbury and Garden City filed petitions with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) this week to unionize with Starbucks Workers United. They were joined by baristas at 21 Starbucks stores in 14 states during a flurry of February Filings.

Feb 23, 2024 | News Story

Barnes & Noble workers at the West 82nd Street Store in New York City this week filed for their union election with the NLRB seeking representation with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

Feb 23, 2024 | News Story

The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) has released its annual construction fatality report, “Deadly Skyline: An Annual Report on Construction Fatalities in New York State.” The repor

Feb 23, 2024 | News Story

"Every year, roughly 400,000 New Yorkers lose their jobs through no fault of their own. That’s where unemployment insurance is supposed to come in, as a short-term safety net to ensure that losing your job doesn’t mean losing your home.

Feb 23, 2024 | News Story

Staffing shortages in the public sector are at crisis levels.