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:

Dec 3, 2021 | News Story

Columbia student workers are still on strike in what is currently the largest such action in the country. Three thousand workers, including undergraduate and graduate teaching and research assistants at Columbia University, are now in the fifth week of their strike.

Dec 3, 2021 | News Story

On Monday, the Director of Region 10 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) formally issued a Decision and Direction of a Second Election, granting workers at Amazon in Bessemer, Alabama a new election based on the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union’s (RWDSU) objections to Amazon’

Nov 30, 2021 | News Story

Workers in New York City and across the country are striking to better their working conditions, pay, and benefits in the face of stalled contract negotiations, staggering corporate profits and executive pay, and apathetic management.

Today, Giving Tuesday, please consider making a contribution to some of the hardship funds that go toward supporting working families whom have made the difficult decision to strike for their workplace rights.

Nov 24, 2021 | News Story

After two years of bargaining, The New York Times Company has continued to delay Wirecutter Union's negotiations through unfair labor practices and wage offers that significantly underpay  staff.

Nov 24, 2021 | News Story

Workers at billionaire John Catsimatidis's United Metro Energy Corp have been on strike since April 19th.

Nov 24, 2021 | News Story

We have always known that reducing class size is integral to student achievement, teacher retention and equitable schools, but it’s now also become an issue of public health. We must learn from the pandemic and take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses in the future.

Nov 24, 2021 | News Story

This week the New York City Council passed historic labor harmony legislation into law.

Nov 24, 2021 | News Story

Columbia student workers are still on strike in what is currently the largest such action in the country. Three thousand workers, including undergraduate and graduate teaching and research assistants at Columbia University, are now in the fourth week of their strike.

Nov 24, 2021 | News Story

As the holiday shopping season gets underway, the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), is urging holiday shoppers to treat workers with dignity and respect as they return to shopping in stores amid supply-chain issues.

Nov 19, 2021 | News Story

Members of three New York Times bargaining units joined forces along with supporters including the NYC CLC on Tuesday to deliver a message to management: Stop union busting. Respect our union.