December 16, 2013
By AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
Washington, DC– "The AFL-CIO welcomes the introduction of the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (FAMILY Act), which will grant families access to the paid leave they so desperately need. The FAMILY Act is not just aimed at working mothers; it will improve job security for all families who have to choose between caring for a family member and a paycheck at times of greatest stress. This bill will strengthen America’s workers and economy by providing income stability for all families.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 12 percent of workers in the United States currently have access to paid family leave through their employers. Without pay, most workers simply cannot afford to take off the time they need. For a nation built on family values, this is unacceptable.
The FAMILY Act will be especially important to young workers, part-time and low-wage workers, regardless of their employer’s size or their duration on the job. And the FAMILY Act will be a win for employers as well, because it will lower employee turnover rates and increase productivity, if passed.
The labor movement urges Congress to invest in our families, our economy and our country’s future by giving individuals a chance to take care of important family matters without risk of losing their jobs. A bill that is good for working families is a bill that is good for everyone".
