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 15, 2022 | News Story

DC 9 Business Manager Joseph Azzopardi has penned an OpEd for amNY on the importance of union labor and the role of the Finishing Trades in transitioning to clean energy.

Jul 8, 2022 | News Story

Management has slow-walked WIRED Union's bargaining for over a year, refuses to discuss rights participation, and refuses to allow members of the Reviews team in the bargaining unit, in spite of their vital work for the outlet.

Jul 8, 2022 | News Story

Carlos Moncayo (pictured) was just 22 when he was crushed to death by thousands of pounds of dirt at a construction site in Manhattan’s meatpacking district. More than seven years later, a construction safety bill named after him could become law, if Gov. Kathy Hochul chooses to sign it.

Jul 8, 2022 | News Story

Unionized employees of HarperCollins Publishers have voted by 99% to authorize a strike if the publisher does not agree to a fair contract. Local 2110 of the UAW represents 250+ employees in editorial, sales, publicity, design, legal, and marketing departments.

Jul 8, 2022 | News Story

Production workers at the long-running animated television shows The Simpsons, American Dad! and Family Guy have gained voluntary recognition from their parent company, 20th Television Animation, to join The Animation Guild. The production workers won with 90% support across all three shows.

Jul 8, 2022 | News Story

It was an electric start to the week as Governor Hochul signed three clean energy bills that will help ensure a just transition for our communities and workers while diversifying our energy system to help ensure reliability and resilience.

Jul 8, 2022 | News Story

On July 10, 1896, 38-year-old Henry Miller, founder and president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, was the head lineworker for the Potomac Light & Power Company in Washington, DC.

Jul 1, 2022 | News Story

Statement by Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO President, June 24, 2022:

Jul 1, 2022 | News Story

With the current collective bargaining agreement between the American Guild of Musical Artists and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater set to expire today, the AGMA Ailey Negotiating Committee – made up of the Artists of Ailey – has been at the bargaining table for several weeks, fighting for a fa

Jul 1, 2022 | News Story

Workers at a second Starbucks store in Astoria have voted to join Starbucks Workers United, making organizers two-for-two in their efforts to unionize the neighborhood's coffee shops.