Family Values at Work - A Multi-State Consortium

New York

The New York State Paid Family Leave Coalition, the Working Families Party, the NYS AFL-CIO and A Better Balance have been working hard in support of a paid family leave bill which will increase the temporary disability insurance rate in steps over 4 years to $580/wk and then index it in future years to 50% of the statewide average weekly wage. S5791 and A8742 were introduced 3 days before a coup took place in the Senate, resulting in four weeks of leadership chaos prior to the Senate adjourning for the summer, with no action on the bill.

The Coalition, along with A Better balance, is also working with a broad coalition to raise awareness and advance a paid sick standard that would cover all of the workers in New York City. The coalition includes advocates working on behalf of women, children, the aged, labor, business, restaurant workers, immigrants and public health advocates. Councilwoman Gail Brewer reintroduced the Earned Paid Sick Time Act in the NYC Council on March 25, 2010. The bill allows usage when government officials or employers close schools or businesses for public emergencies.

Contact: Donna Dolan (212) 344-7332; Sherry Leiwant (917) 536-0075;  Martha Baker (917) 992-5300
www.timetocareny.org, www.abetterbalance.org