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 15, 2022 | News Story

On Wednesday, an estimated 10,000 building services essential workers, including 32BJ SEIU members from New York to Washington, D.C.

Apr 15, 2022 | News Story

Actors’ Equity Association has filed with the NLRB to bargain on behalf of the actors and stage managers on the national tour of Broadway’s Waitress, which is running concurrently with a unionized tour.

Apr 15, 2022 | News Story

After Tuesday's horrific attack in the Brooklyn subway, transit workers, members of Transport Workers Union Local 100 helped passengers escape to safety, and their heroic quick thinking likely sa

Apr 15, 2022 | News Story

On Tuesday, April 12th, the Worker Institute’s Labor Leading on Climate Initiative and Climate Jobs NY delivered a Carbon Free & Healthy Schools training.

Apr 21

Teamsters have been on strike at a Brooklyn oil terminal for one year in a fight for a first union contract.

Apr 18

Members of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2094 will unite with Rep.

Apr 8, 2022 | News Story

Over the past month, thousands of union members across NYC and the nation signed petitions, wrote letters and called our senators. And now…we celebrate!

Apr 8, 2022 | News Story

More than 50 nail salon workers, mostly immigrant women of color, gathered along with supporters in Zuccotti Park yesterday morning for a lively rally in support of the proposed New York Nail Salon Minimum Standards Council Act.

Apr 8, 2022 | News Story

On Thursday, National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo issued a memorandum to all Field offices announcing that she will ask

Apr 8, 2022 | News Story

By now we've all celebrated the Staten Island Amazon workers' incredible victory in their NLRB election last week, but are you sure you're read allllll the takes? To make sure you don't miss anything, here's a roundup of just some of the best for your convenience: