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:

Nov 19, 2021 | News Story

Thousands of nursing home workers from hundreds of facilities across the state marched from Times Square to SEIU1199 headquarters on Seventh Avenue on Wednesday to tell nursing home owners that they deserve a fair contract with good wages, safe working conditions, affordable, comprehensive health

Nov 19, 2021 | News Story

With the end of the John Deere strike earlier this week, the Columbia student workers strike is now the largest strike action in the country.

Nov 19, 2021 | News Story

New York Metro Area Postal Union, APWU President Jonathan Smith sat down with Samantha Bee on this week's episode of Full Frontal to talk about how Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is trying to sabotage not only the Postal Service, but people's confidence in the Postal Service, with the largest rol

Nov 19, 2021 | News Story

Musicians deserve a fair contract! American Federation of Musicians Local 802 has filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) for failing to negotiate in good faith with its musicians.

Nov 19, 2021 | News Story

This week, the New York Daily News reported that billionaire John Catsimatidis is flouting labor law by underpaying oil truck drivers delivering heating oil to public schools and other city buildings, based on a compliant filed with the New York City Comptroller.

Nov 19, 2021 | News Story

This week was National Apprenticeship Week, and the labor movement has been celebrating the drive and success of thousands of union apprentices across the country.

Nov 19, 2021 | News Story

Ready to serve a scrumptious union-made Thanksgiving dinner this year? Here's what you need to prepare your intimate family feast, from union-made cookware to favorite recipes from Union Plus.

Nov 12, 2021 | News Story

This week, the NYC Labor Movement joins the rest of our nation in thanking and recognizing our dedicated servicemembers and their families.

Nov 12, 2021 | News Story

The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a monumental political and legislative accomplishment. This is a $1.2 trillion investment in our infrastructure after decades of decline, and America’s workers are ready to rebuild our country.

Nov 12, 2021 | News Story

On Wednesday, the New York City Council passed a groundbreaking law regulating construction industry body shops, which prey on people returning home from incarceration and leverage workers' parole mandates of maintaining employment as a condition of their release.