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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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:

• corn & ticket scalpers vs. policies you care about at DMIBlog
• A Shortage of Time, but Not of Ideas at Daily Gotham
• It's 'time to care' for in the Syracuse Post-Standard
• Family Leave Bill Gains Momentum in Albany in the Queens Chronicle

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.


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."

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.

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.

- New York Sun

[Gov. Spitzer] quickly embraced organized labor and its muscular agent, the Working Families Party, which is behind the paid-leave bill.

- New York Post

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.

- Daily Politics

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!

Family Leave Roundtable in Schenectady - Today!

Caring for my 82 year old father, my 39 year old disabled sister with mental health and developmental disabilities and caring for my FIVE children was taxing at best last year. Allowing my husband the ability to take time off of his NYS job last year after the birth of our fifth child without fear of the "Daddy Track" mentality that pervades our society would have been nice. Being able to continute to work in the traditional job market as a 40 year old woman wth five children and two additonal adult dependants would have been great. I sacrificed my teaching and university research career to stay home. I wish I had the choice!

- Anonymous in Albany

We're holding another living room roundtable for working parents today at 4:30, this one in Schenectady. Schenectady County Legislator Gary Hughes, his wife, Mayor Brian Stratton, and working parents from around the Capital Region will discuss the need for better state family leave policies so working parents can care for new kids and ailing relatives.

The Working Families Party supports the Working Families Time to Care Act, which would allow working families to take care of each other in times of need without risking financial hardship. Here's how it works:

• The Working Families Time to Care Act would expand New York's existing Temporary Disability Insurance program to cover family needs like leave for either parent to care for a newborn child or a newly adopted child or a seriously-ill family member.
• Workers would receive up to 12 weeks of benefits, funded through a modest increase of premiums paid within the existing TDI program.
  

Roundtable participants will encourage State Senator Hugh Farley to support the Working Families Time to Care Act.

You can show your support by signing our card with a message. 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.

Here's retired probation officer Regina Corby-Graham of Mastic speaking at last week's roundtable on Long Island:

Canvassing in Schenectady and Long Island for Family Leave

Good family values come with devoting time with children. Give mothers (and fathers) a break and allow them the time to spend with their children, especially during their developmental age. Don't break their hearts by making them choose between motherhood and career. Give them better options and benefits!!

- Manisha in New York state

Parents and other caretakers "deserve" that special paid time off to be with their newborns and other family members that have special needs.

- Elizabeth in Rosedale

Time to honor women in a more substantial way than token cards and flowers. Paid time off will allow more mothers a chance to get their babies off to a good start in life.

- Sheila in Ithaca

We need to provide better support to working parents!

- Julie in Hawthorne

The Working Families Party canvassed in Schenectady last week, talking to State Senator Hugh Farley's constituents about Family Leave Insurance. Now we're getting ready to head out to Long Island. And support from all over the state is still pouring in online. We'll take the letters we collect at the door and signatures we collect online with us as we lobby in Albany to tell the stories of working families who want parents of newborns (or newly adopted children) and adults with ailing relatives to get paid time off.

Share your story today!

Family Leave Roundtable on Long Island

"We don't live in the 1950s anymore. With both parents working, we need policies in place that support couples when they decide to start a family or need to take time off to care for an ailing parent. That's what the Working Families Time to Care Act would do."

That's Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning (D-WFP), speaking at last Friday's Family Leave Roundtable in Mastic on Long Island. Working parents who have wrestled with the decision of how soon to return to their jobs after having a child discussed the need for better state family leave policies to care for new kids and ailing relatives.

Here's retired probation officer Regina Corby-Graham of Mastic speaking at the roundtable:



Ann Seifried of South Huntington, an economic development officer for manufacturing jobs, added,

"I shouldn't have to choose between my responsility to my job and my responsbility to my daughter. I have to do right by both, and our policies should reflect that."

More from Ann:



The Working Families Party supports the Working Families Time to Care Act, which would allow working families to take care of each other in times of need without risking financial hardship.

Suffolk County Legislator Kate Browning (D-WFP) spoke about her own experiences and about the Working Families Time to Care Act:



Show your support by signing our card with a message. This is your chance to 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.

Sign the card today!