Friday, June 29, 2007

For Your Phone: Affordable Housing Ringtone

"Starrett City and its 20,000 residents can't wait until the fall for the legislature to protect their homes. Their homes are set to be sold before the next session begins - and then they'll have nowhere to turn . . . We can't wait one minute longer. The Assembly has passed this important legislation, but we need the Senate and the Governor to put these bills on their agendas before they can become law. If Governor Spitzer and Senator Bruno do not act during this session, we will immediately lose 6,000 affordable apartments and thousands more in other Mitchell-Lama buildings . . . There are only two possibilities - either we pass these vital reforms, or thousands of the voters who believed we would change New York for the better will be pushed out of their homes."
- Assemblyman Darryl C. Towns, chair of the Assembly's Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus
The state legislative session ended with the Republican-controlled State Senate refusing to take action to protect affordable housing, even though thousands of units of affordable housing are going to be lost this summer without Senate action.

New York Is Our Home made a trip to Albany during the legislative session to demand that Governor Spitzer and Senate Majority Leader Bruno pass A795, the Save Starrett City bill, and A352. The Assembly Housing Committee and the Assembly Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus joined with us. So what was our reception in the Senate?

Republican Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno flat out refused to meet with us.

That's a disgrace. With rents the way they are, Joe Bruno and his Senate Republican majority ought to be ashamed. And we're going to make sure everyone knows it.

First, tell your State Senators to pass affordable housing legislation.

Then download the New York Is Our Home "Shame on Bruno" ringtone for your phone.

When Bruno wouldn't meet with us in Albany, we protested outside of his office. Our chant then was "Shame on Bruno." Now we've turned that chant into a ringtone for your phone so you can put the pressure on. Here's the original ringtone and the remix version. When someone asks you what your ringtone is, explain how the Senate Republicans and Joe Bruno are getting rid of affordable housing through their inaction. If enough people download the ringtone then word will spread to your friends and to their friends, and we can reach enough people to force action to protect affordable housing.

If you want to know more, here is a detailed description of what New York Is Our Home stands for and here is the Losing Ground report that documents the housing affordability crisis.

One last thing: if you're on MySpace, add the WFP as a friend.

Telecommunications Reform Act : Let's Get Moving

The Albany Project is leading an effort to get the Telecommunications Reform Act unstuck. While the bill didn't pass during the legislative session, the coalition supporting the bill wants to show Eliot Spitzer that this is a bill New Yorkers support so they can make another run at passage. More here.

Take a second to give the governor a call at 518-474-8390 and ask him to support Assemblymember Brodsky's Telecommunications Reform Act.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

They Must Think We're Stupid

Sometimes when I read the news, I have to wonder if I'm really supposed to fall for this. What's the this? Here's a sample:
  1. Paris Hilton saying she doesn't do drugs and hardly drinks, after being released from jail for drunk driving.
  2. Dick Cheney claiming he's not part of the Executive Branch, and so he can do whatever he wants with classified documents. The story unfolds here, here and here.
  3. Ann Coulter saying she hadn't said anything about John Edwards, the day after saying she wished terrorists would kill him.
Have I missed any? Which do you think is most ridiculous? Vote in the poll, or leave your nominations in the comments.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Updating the WFP Blogroll

It's time to update the WFP blogroll. We want to add new blogs that have come on the New York scene and drop the ones that have, sadly, gone defunct.

Can you help out? What blogs are you reading? Leave a comment and let us know who should be on the blogroll.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Employee Free Choice Act Filibustered by Senate Republicans

Latest from the Senate floor: Senate Republicans have carried out their threat to filibuster the Employee Free Choice Act. The Senate held what's called a cloture vote to stop the Republican filibuster; 51 Senators voted for the bill - enough to pass the bill in a regular vote, but not enough to end the filibuster.

Both of New York's Senators voted for the Employee Free Choice Act. But that's not enough to overcome opposition from Republicans to a bill that would restore the freedom of American workers to join unions. Workers routinely face intimidation from employers when they try to form a union. In 25 percent of organizing campaigns, private-sector employers illegally fire workers because they want to form a union. Listen to YouTube clips of workers talking about their experiences trying to form a union in their workplace at the AFL-CIO blog.

Today's Reading: Rise and Fall of the CIO–ALP

Political Power and Social Theory is a series of books collecting academic topics in political science and social theory. Volume 18, Part II, focuses on "Opposition Politics in America" and includes a piece on the American Labor Party. Formed in the 1940s by the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), the American Labor Party rose to prominence in New York. Check it out, with thanks to Google books.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Paid Family Leave Passes the Assembly

The Assembly has just passed the Working Families Time to Care Act, which will give paid time off to parents of newborns (or newly adopted children) and adults who need time to care for ailing relatives.

Now it's up to the Senate to decide whether New Yorkers will have paid family leave. While they've gone home for now, the Senate has committed to reconvene later this year, at which point they can pass the bill.

Thanks to everyone for all the hard work to get this far!

Assembly to Debate Paid Family Leave

The Working Families Time to Care Act came up for third reading in the Assembly and was laid aside for debate. When I have more details on the debate I'll post them here.

Send your Assemblymember a friendly reminder to pass paid family leave. The bill will give paid time off to parents of newborns (or newly adopted children) and adults who need time to care for ailing relatives.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Ways and Means Passes Paid Family Leave

The Assembly Ways and Means Committee has passed the Working Families Time to Care Act, which would give paid time off to parents of newborns (or newly adopted children) and adults who need time to care for ailing relatives.

Now it goes to the Assembly Rules Committee, and then to a vote by the full Assembly.

Send your Assemblymember a friendly reminder to pass paid family leave.

Down to the Wire in Albany

As the legislative session comes to a close this week, the Working Families Time to Care Act is still in the mix. As we get down to the wire, give your Assemblymember a friendly reminder to pass paid family leave.

In the Daily Politics:
[Gov Spitzer] plans to "keep pounding away" until Thursday in hopes of landing some agreements on the more intractable issues like campaign finance reform, congestion pricing, paid family leave and pay raises for judges.
In the Albany Times-Union:
Deals that are close:
  • Paid family leave: allowing up to 12 weeks away from jobs, with employees paying for the benefit through a payroll deduction.
In the Empire Zone:
Issues on the table include proposals to start collecting DNA from anyone convicted of a misdemeanor, to offer employees up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a sick child or spouse and to speed approval procedures for new power plants.
In the Times Herald-Record:
But the issues lawmakers had debated for weeks — creating a system for paid family leave, renewing the state's power plant siting law or establishing a DNA database for criminals — remained locked in the maw of high-level negotiations.
Newsday quotes Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith:
"How can we convincingly tell our constituents that elected officials deserve a raise when the process fails to follow through with measures that ensure equal opportunity?"

Labor Committee Passes Paid Family Leave

The Assembly Labor Committee has passed the Working Families Time to Care Act, which would give paid time off to parents of newborns (or newly adopted children) and adults who need time to care for ailing relatives.

Now it's on to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, and then a vote by the full Assembly.

Send your Assemblymember a friendly reminder to pass paid family leave.

How Industrial Development Agency Reform Was Stopped

Subsidy reform is one of the issues the Working Families Party is working on this legislative session. The WFP wants to make sure that New Yorkers are getting their money's worth from subsidies paid to private corporations with our tax dollars.

The main vehicle for these subsidies are the 115 statewide Industrial Development Agencies. We want standards put in place for the Industrial Development Agencies that would add accountability measures for things like wage standards and hiring provisions. Wage standards, for example, would ensure that our tax dollars aren't supporting low-wage work or shoddy contractors. This TAP post has more background.

We think these accountability standards are common sense. If we're going to give money to private firms, we should expect some accountability on what they do with the money.

Both the Assembly and Senate made Industrial Development Agency Reform proposals this session. Assemblymember Sam Hoyt led the way in the Assembly with a comprehensive IDA Reform bill that we support. The Senate's proposal, by contrast, had little to offer in terms of the accountability measures that we think are necessary to make sure IDAs do their job well. But because of the media attention on bad IDA deals across the state, the Senate agreed to negotiate.

Then, at the last minute, the Senate walked away from the negotiating table. The reason? They were unwilling to discuss wage standards on IDA projects. Assemblymember Hoyt and Labor Committee Chair Susan John insisted on discussing wage standards in exchange for negotiating on other aspects of IDA reform. And the Assembly was willing to negotiate. They offered an alternative proposal, presented by Assemblymember Hoyt last Friday, and directed central staff to work over the weekend to reach a negotiated agreement.

But the Senate still wouldn't come to the table.

Call and tell your state Senator that you hold the Senate majority responsible for not reforming Industrial Development Agencies. There's no other reason for it - the Assembly passed a comprehensive reform bill on Monday, and now it's the Senate's turn to act. You can call the Senate switchoard at 518-455-2800 if you don't know who your state senator is and the switchboard operator can connect you to your Senator.

There are two more people to call, and these two deserve our thanks. Call Assemblymember Sam Hoyt at 518-455-4886 and Assembly Labor Committee Chair Susan John at 518-455-4527 to thank them for their hard work to pass IDA Reform this session.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Assembly Starts to Move on Paid Family Leave

Good news! The Assembly is taking up the Working Families Time to Care Act, which would give paid time off to parents of newborns (or newly adopted children) and adults who need time to care for ailing relatives.

The Assembly Labor Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill, A9245, in the next 24 hours, and the full Assembly is scheduled to vote on it afterward. If the bill is voted on as scheduled, we expect it to pass. But this is the final week of the state legislative session, and time is short. We need your help to make sure those votes happen as scheduled.

We're asking everyone to remind the Assembly that you're watching what happens with paid family leave.

Email a friendly reminder to the Assembly in support of paid family leave.

DMI at Take Back America

Head over to the Albany Project to watch Andrea Batista Schlesinger of the Drum Major Institute speak at the Take Back America conference. Then head over to DMI's web site to buy a ticket for the Drum Major for Justice Awards going on this Thursday, June 21st.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Albany Times-Union, Syracuse Post-Standard Editorialize in Support of Paid Family Leave

More newspapers have run editorials in support of the Working Families Time to Care Act in recent days.

There's the Albany Times-Union:
Most Capitol observers agree that the Legislature is not likely to take up family paid leave legislation until next year. That would be a mistake. Governor Spitzer has outlined a sensible, affordable plan to help family members cope with a newborn or care for an ill family member. The longer the issue is put off, the greater the chances that it will fall victim to legislative gridlock.
. . .
While workers today are entitled to unpaid leave under federal law, that presents many family members with a difficult choice between forgoing a paycheck to provide care at home, or paying someone else to do so in their place while they are at work.
The Post-Standard:
Workers are often caught in a desperate crossroads of providing care, holding onto their jobs and paying their bills. Providing them with even a small family leave payment is the right thing to do.

And it's time to make it happen.
. . .
The proposed plan, backed by family advocates, would improve employee morale and make the workplace more responsive to, and in harmony with, America's most important institution - the family.
And this op-ed in the Lower Hudson Journal News:
Time off to care for a newborn shouldn't be a luxury that only some families can afford - it should be a cornerstone of our society.
. . .
If we believe in a society where working families take care of each other, one in which new parents have the ability to take care of their children, then we should pass the Working Families Time to Care Act. If we believe in a society where working people have responsibilities both to their employers and to their families, and that a balance between those two responsibilities is critical to building a healthy community for all of us, then we should pass this bill.
Let us know why you support paid family leave - sign a card with a message of support to state legislators today!

Friday, June 15, 2007

Employee Free Choice Act Vote Next Wednesday

The Employee Free Choice Act is headed toward a Senate vote next week on Wednesday. The bill has already passed overwhelmingly in the House. Almost all of the New York House delegation voted for it - Tom Reynolds (R-NY 26) and John Kuhl (R-NY 29) were the only New York Reps in opposition - and New York's Senators support the bill. But whether the bill will pass the Senate is in doubt. Find out more about the opposition.

Why is this bill so important? Workers routinely face intimidation from employers when they try to form a union. In 25 percent of organizing campaigns, private-sector employers illegally fire workers because they want to form a union. Passing this law will restore American workers' freedom to join unions. And that will help workers improve their lives.

Don't think that's an issue? Listen to Greg Mendez's story.

Greg Mendez is an office systems coordinator at New York's Pace University. In 2004, Mendez and his co-workers sought to form a union with the New York State United Teachers/AFT. They wanted a transparent salary structure and grievance procedure in place of the university's arbitrary system of pay raises and promotions. In response, the university hired anti-worker consultants to run meetings several times a day. Union supporters who tried to speak up at these meetings were publicly attacked. "People got nervous, really nervous," says Mendez. "You would have thought we were trying to overthrow the government." Three years later, Pace University workers still are fighting the administration's campaign of intimidation.

And there are plenty more workers with stories just like Greg's.

In the end, it's all about workers making better lives for themselves and their families. Tell your U.S. Senator to pass the Employee Free Choice Act - and then, even more importanly, tell your friends in other states to take action. And when you've done that, take the poll.

Schenectady County Legislature Votes To Support Paid Family Leave

The Schenectady County Legislature voted for a resolution that endorses the Working Families Time to Care Act. The resolution passed with the support of all the Democrats in the County Legislature and the opposition of all the Republicans. The Albany Common Council passed a similar resolution last week. Both resolutions urge the local legislative delegation to do all they can to make sure this bill becomes law.

Schenectady County Legislator Gary Hughes explained his support:
"Fast cars, personal jets, expensive yachts - these are luxuries. But time off to care for a newborn shouldn't be a luxury that only some families can afford. This is about the principle of the thing - we should support working people who want to meet their responsibilities both on the job and to their families."
The United States is one of only four countries in the world that has no national paid family leave policy. State paid family leave legislation would help New Yorkers balance family and work.

Now it's your turn. Show your support for paid family leave!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Save The Date: Celebrate With the Drum Major Institute

Thursday, June 21st, is the night of the Drum Major for Justice Awards. We'll be there along with other New Yorkers committed to creating social change to celebrate the work of the Drum Major Institute. Find out more and come join us.

The Drum Major Institute pushes progressive public policy for social and economic fairness. One part of their work is researching important social and economic issues. The other part is using relationships with policymakers and opinion leaders to amplify the ideas of those who are working for social and economic fairness.

Charity Begins At Home And Spreads Itself Abroad

Having recently had to devote several days to helping my mother get herself admitted to a hospital, taking care of of her banking and financial concerns, as well as renting a small storage unit in her name, I can relate to the growing need for time off to care for ailing elders. My mother passed away 3 days after she was admitted to Lenox Hill Hospital, so I am grateful I was able to be there for her.
- Yvonne in New York City

I am presently caring for a relative as well and after you use all the time allowed from work then you're on your own and this is a very scary situation. "Charity begins at home and spreads itself abroad."
- Roslyn in Brooklyn

The talk is family values, but the walk is corporate values. Let's walk the talk of family values. Stronger families benefit everyone, even corporations, in the long run.
- Natalie in Valley Stream

If you need to take care of a sick family member, how can you afford not to get paid.
- Betty in Copiague

Let's take care of parents, kids and business by doing this. It just makes sense.
- Alicia in Brooklyn
We often talk about the benefit for new parents from the Working Families Time to Care Act. But when you need to take care of an ailing parent, paid family leave makes a big difference for you too. No more delay. Tell your legislators to pass the bill today!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Newsday Weighs In On Paid Family Leave

Newsday weighed in on the Working Families Time to Care Act with an editorial in favor of paid family leave:
With a push from the politically potent Working Families Party, Albany leaders are negotiating a bill that would provide a modest income for those three months while an employee is caring for a newborn or a sick child or parent.
. . .
But the potential pluses are big, even for businesses, including a boost in worker morale and loyalty, which contribute to long-term improvements in productivity and profits. . . it's a reasonable compromise that will help families cope at critical times in their lives.
Agree? Sign on today!

2000 New Yorkers for Paid Family Leave

Choosing between caring for my great grandmother when she broke her hip or teaching to support my 3yr old son, teenage sister, when our mother died of AIDS was devastating. I was the sole provider, the first to have a degree in my family, and her only chance because her daughter had already died of an anurism. I couldn't stay at home with Granny. She died.
- Marion in New York City

As an aspiring Veterinarian married to a teacher I am currently working 2 jobs, one in an animal hospital and another as a waiter, just to make ends meet. We have a mortgage and all the financial responsibility that comes along with life. Children are something we want, but might not be able to afford. To say that is pretty sad. To have paid time off to care for a new child would certainly help that situation.
- Jason in Haverstraw

As a pediatrician, I know the importance of parents having this time to bond with and care for their children. It is equally important to not have to worry about income during this already financially taxing time.
- Nadia in New York City

Giving workers who are parents time to be good parents is truly the way to support Families. The Time to Care Act is the way to vote for Family Values.
- Maeve in Rochester
These powerful stories show the need the Working Families Time to Care Act. But for all the talk, the bill still hasn't passed. As legislators in Albany decide whether they will give paid time off to parents of newborns (or newly adopted children) and adults who need time to care for ailing relatives, more than 1950 people have shown their support for passing the bill now by signing our card with a message. Will we get to 2000 signatures?

Show your support and sign the card today!

Monday, June 11, 2007

Restore the Right to Bargain for a Better Life

American workers are struggling to make ends meet and keep the vanishing middle class alive. But workers routinely face intimidation, harassment, and exploitation from employers when they try to form a union to bargain for a better life. It's a startling statistic: In 25 percent of organizing campaigns, private-sector employers illegally fire workers because they want to form a union.

The House has already passed the Employee Free Choice Act, a bill aimed at restoring American workers' freedom to join unions. Almost all of New York's representatives voted in favor of the bill; Thomas Reynolds (R-NY 26) and John Kuhl (R-NY 29) were the exceptions.

In the next two weeks, the Senate will vote on this legislation. Supported by a bipartisan coalition in both houses of Congress, the Employee Free Choice Act would allow working people to bargain for better wages, benefits, and work environments. Unions have long been the cornerstone in the fight for fair working conditions, and it is essential that we restore this most fundamental right. The Employee Free Choice Act would:

  • Strengthen penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form unions, including companies that illegally coerce or intimidate their employees
  • Provide a neutral third party to mediate and arbitrate contract settlements between companies and newly certified unions
  • Establish majority sign-up, which would force companies to recognize unions if a majority of employees sign union authorization cards

Resolutions in support of the Employee Free Choice Act have been passed in eight states and introduced in nine more. At the federal level, the bill is backed by a bipartisan coalition of 281 Congressmen, including 27 New York representatives and both senators. Here is why we at the Working Families Party support it...

Current labor law is severely biased towards employers. Under the National Labor Relations Board's current rules, penalties against employers for violations are spineless, while unions suffer greatly for their infringements. Since the current penalties are so weak, companies regularly use coercion and intimidation to draw out union election processes for months. By forcing companies to recognize unions and by implementing harsher penalties against employers who break laws, the Employee Free Choice Act would be a major step in leveling the playing field.

Friday, June 08, 2007

Time To Stand Up For Real Family Values

"As a young woman currently on unpaid Family and Medical Leave, now in California tending to my terminally ill mother, I have direct and first-hand knowledge of how devastating this transition of being both in family crisis and jobless can be. This is the type of situation that is a part of life, and cannot be planed for. I urge this legislation to be passed swiftly; our families need us."
-- Afua in New York

"Thousands of New Yorkers are continuing to suffer from the dilemma of losing their job and support of their families, or allowing sick family members to suffer. Pass this legislation NOW!"
-- Edward in Staten Island

"Every employee should have the right to attend to his/her family when needed most. If that time is lost, it may never be regained."
-- Vanessa in Brooklyn

"This is about basic respect and human rights. It's time for those who claim to espouse family values to stand up for real family values."
-- Anthony in Broadalbin
All across the state, New Yorkers are speaking out about the need for Paid Family Leave. Sharing stories of their struggles, they are making it clear that legislation must be passed -and passed now.

The Working Families Time to Care Act would provide hard working New Yorkers with paid family leave up to 12 weeks a year, allowing them to take time to care for newborns, newly adopted children, or sick family members. As more and more households rely on both parents working, it is time for New York to join with California and Washington in providing paid leave to support families in their most crucial moments. Beyond helping families, the Time to Care Act would also strengthen productivity and morale in the workplace, providing critical support to all New Yorkers.

Our efforts have won us the support of Governor Spitzer and the Assembly, but there is still gridlock to overcome. We need your help to keep the momentum growing.

Want to show your support? Tell your state legislators that it's time to stand up for real family values.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Albany Common Council Votes To Support Paid Family Leave

With Republicans in the State Senate delaying passage of a paid family leave bill, the Albany Common Council has weighed in and passed a resolution in support of the Working Families Time to Care Act. The resolution urges the local legislative delegation to do all they can to make sure this bill becomes law.

Ward 3 Councilmember Corey Ellis explains her support:
"Time off to care for a newborn shouldn't be a luxury that only some families can afford - it should be a basic cornerstone of our society."
Ward 4 Councilmember Barbara Smith added:
"[The Working Families Time To Care Act would] bring a little bit of much-needed peace of mind to working people across the state."
We agree. If you agree, sign on in support of paid family leave!

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Reports Of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Paid family leave was the first topic on the agenda of today's 6-way Leadership Meeting between the Governor, Lt Governor, and majority and minority leaders of the Assembly and Senate. This is the first time the Working Families Time to Care Act has been on the agenda at a public leadership meeting. Today's elevation of the issue came hot on the heels of a less-than-optimistic report that the Republican State Senate wouldn't pass paid family leave.

So how did we do at today's leadership meeting?

Initial reports are promising. The talk was overwhelmingly positive. From the Empire Zone:
"they appeared to be close to an agreement that would offer workers up to 12 weeks of family leave to care for newborns or seriously ill family members."
But we're not there yet. Republican Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno warned everyone not to jump to any conclusions about whether the bill would pass, and admitted that some Republican Senators were, in his words, preening for the cameras. From the Daily Politics:
"Everyone made nice noises about family leave"
There's no better example of Albany dysfunction than a Republican State Senate that says they support giving paid time off to parents of newborns (or newly adopted children) and adults who need time to care for ailing relatives, but then not actually passing the bill. Everyone says they support it. Let's get it done.

Tell your state legislators it's time to give paid time off to parents of newborns (or newly adopted children) and adults who need time to care for ailing relatives.

As a bonus, here's an editorial in favor of paid family leave by Karen Schimke, President and CEO of Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, and Carol Saginaw, Executive Director of the NYS Child Care Coordinating Council, in the Albany Times-Union.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Paid Family Leave in the News

Our push for paid family leave got more coverage this weekend, this time from the New York Times:
Gov. Eliot Spitzer is pushing behind the scenes to win legislative backing for a plan that would give workers several weeks of paid leave to care for newborn children or seriously ill family members.

Under the plan — which would make New York one of three states to provide paid family leave — workers could take up to 12 weeks per year off, with a maximum benefit of $170 a week.
. . .
While Mr. Spitzer has been able to line up the support of the Democratic-controlled Assembly, advocates of the plan say he has not yet been able to gain enough support in the Republican-controlled Senate.
. . .
"For the first time, it will allow working New Yorkers to take the necessary time to care for a sick family member or bond with a newborn child without going broke," a top Spitzer aide said.
. . .
Labor unions, women's groups and the Working Families Party have been the primary advocates of paid leave.

"It's a common-sense reform, and for the governor it looks like a win-win," said Daniel Cantor, executive director of the Working Families Party. "We're still going to have to persuade the Republican Senate on this, but it feels doable because this is a very popular idea."
How do you show your support for paid family leave? Sign the card!

More coverage here:

Monday, June 04, 2007

Family Leave Roundtable in Schenectady

Last Thursday, Legislator Gary Hughes; Legislator Ed Kosiur, Vice Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature; Schenectady County Legislator Vince DiCerbo and Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton listened to Mia Puertas, working mother to Jada Puertas, and Doug Williams, working father to Maya and husband to Marie, talk about why they support the Working Families Time to Care Act.

Family Leave Roundtable in SchenectadyFamily Leave Roundtable in Schenectady

When Mia was pregnant with Jada, her employer didn't offer any form of family leave. Mia had to choose between taking time off to care for Jada or going back to work right away. Mia took unpaid leave, and ended up leaving her job because of the inadequate benefits. Here's why Mia Puertas supports the Working Families Time to Care Act:
"This is crucial bonding time for the parent to have with the child, which no mother should be denied. . . However, my job did not provide me with any paid leave, and I had to take unpaid leave. . . I am willing to take a stand for the mothers that are facing this obstacle, so they don't have to go through the struggle that I was faced with at the time. . . After Jada's birth, I was feeling the same emotions that every new mother feels: exhaustion, overwhelmed, stressed. Adding financial worry was the last thing I needed at the time.

I have first hand experience in needing this benefit, and, when it was not available, I had to make choices that new mothers should not have to make in an already stressful time. This legislation should be passed because it will help working families, like mine, take care of each other in the times they need it most."
When Doug's daughter Maya was born, he was offered 4 weeks of paid leave. Doug used that time to bond with his wife and new daughter. Here's how Doug describes his experience:
"I was grateful to be able to spend four weeks of paid time with my wife and new daughter. I didn't get a vacation that year, but it was worth it to be able to spend time with them. But, somehow, four weeks just doesn't seem like enough time. With the Working Families Time to Care Act, I would have been able to spend up to 12 weeks with her!"
Then, Doug's wife, Marie, suffered a heart attack last year. Doug once again struggled to balance family and work:
"I was able to take the time off, but it meant exhausting all my vacation time and sick leave. Because this didn't add up to enough time, I did have to take a few unpaid days off. I needed to take care of my wife, even if it meant giving up my vacation time that year."

Family Leave Roundtable in SchenectadyFamily Leave Roundtable in Schenectady

You couldn't help but be moved listening to Mia and Doug, and Legislator Gary Hughes gave us the good news that:
"The Schenectady County Legislature supports the Working Families Time to Care Act and we will be introducing a resolution in support of the bill at our next meeting [on June 12th]. It is time for us to make it easier for working families to take care of each other"
But we still need action in Albany. That's where you can make a difference.

Tell your state legislators it's time to give paid time off to parents of newborns (or newly adopted children) and adults who need time to care for ailing relatives.

Friday, June 01, 2007

Momentum Builds For Paid Family Leave

[T]he Working Families Time to Care Act is an idea whose time has come.
- Bill Hammond, Daily News
The paid leave bill was a top legislative priority for the labor-backed Working Families Party, a rising third party that was one of the first groups to have endorsed Mr. Spitzer's candidacy for governor.
[Gov. Spitzer] quickly embraced organized labor and its muscular agent, the Working Families Party, which is behind the paid-leave bill.
Gov. Spitzer is now sponsoring paid family leave legislation, which is the WFP's top priority this year. . . From what I hear, though, he's making a "heavy-duty, behind-the-scenes push" to get this done.
We're getting noticed. Momentum is building. You can feel it in Albany. That's because the Working Families Party is championing a simple truth:
It's time to give paid time off to parents of newborns (or newly adopted children) and adults who need time to care for ailing relatives.
More than 1700 people have signed our card with a message to show their support for the Working Families Time to Care Act. That's a solid beginning, and it's getting noticed in Albany.

Are you one of the 1719 signatures on the card? If you haven't signed yet then don't wait - sign today and tell a friend!

Dan Cantor on Brian Lehrer

Working Families Party Executive Director Dan Cantor will be on the Brian Lehrer radio show today, talking about strengthening the middle class as part of a panel discussion at the New School.

Tune in today at 10AM on 93.9 FM or 820 AM or look for it online.