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:

Apr 26, 2022 | News Story

The 2022 edition of Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, released by the AFL-CIO this week, marks the 31st year the AFL-CIO has produced a report on the state of safety and health protections for America’s workers.

Apr 22, 2022 | News Story

Thursday, April 28, 12PM: Please Join the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) for our annual Workers’ Memorial Day event to honor those who have died or suffered injuries or illnesses while on the jo

Apr 22, 2022 | News Story

Essential workers marked one year on strike with a rally at City Hall yesterday, calling on Mayor Adams to stop doing business with their union-busting employer.

Apr 22, 2022 | News Story

Workers at Allure, Architectural Digest, Bon Appétit, Epicurious, Condé Nast Traveler, Glamour, GQ, Self, Teen Vogue, Them, Vanity Fair, and Vogue are uniting with one powerful voice.

Apr 22, 2022 | News Story

Members of the Housing Works Union held a worker speak-out across the street from Housing Works’ annual Design on a Dime fundraiser this week, highlighting the many issues that remain unresolved in contract negotiations.

Apr 22, 2022 | News Story

On March 14th, VA Secretary Denis McDonough issued recommendations destined for review by the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission, a board created by the 2018 VA MISSION Act, a bill designed to promote vast privatization of VA healthcare. If approved, Sec.

Apr 22, 2022 | News Story

Musicians of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra organized a fundraiser for the musicians of the National Opera of Ukraine in Kyiv.

Apr 22, 2022 | News Story

Happy Earth Day! Today, we honor the environment that we have been given, and we’re reminded of our obligation to protect it through efforts to make our communities more sustainable, create new union jobs and reduce our carbon footprint.

Apr 22, 2022 | News Story

Welcome to the Brooklyn classroom of 14 aspiring masonry workers: A 19th century mausoleum inside the serene expanse of Green-Wood Cemetery.

Apr 15, 2022 | News Story

On the heels of the massive union victory at the NYC Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chelsea earlier this month, and unanimous wins at stores across the country over the last few days, four more stores in NYC a