Family Values @ Work Decries the Lack of Action on Build Back Better

(WASHINGTON, DC)––Family Values @ Work is a movement network of grassroots coalitions in more than two dozen states working to win paid family and medical leave, earned sick and safe days, and affordable, high-quality childcare at the state and national levels. Today, FV@W Network leaders released the following statement decrying the Senate’s inaction on the Build Back Better plan:

Family Values @ Work (FV@W)  is appalled that the Senate will not take action on Build Back Better (BBB) before the holiday recess and we are outraged that the priorities of one man may result in derailing a care agenda that is urgently needed by millions of working families. We also recognize that the Senate has zero interest in fulfilling their obligation to workers, families, children, or the planet. The decision to postpone the vote on BBB means that this nation’s 55 million caregivers remain unprotected, and will still have to make the gut-wrenching decision between taking time to heal or care for their loved ones, or working to keep food on the table. It also means families have no hope in sight for ensuring affordable childcare and home care for family members.

“As the Senate leaves for their paid holiday vacation, we are reminded of the millions of workers who will have to continue to use unpaid days off to heal or care for a loved one this holiday season,” said Josephine Kalipeni, executive director at FV@W. “The fact that the Senate has failed to act, after months of deliberation, especially as the pandemic rages and the holiday season is upon us, shows us that Republican Senators and Democratic Senator Manchin are more interested in their personal agenda than delivering paid leave, guaranteeing comprehensive childcare, and protecting the Child Tax Credit for America’s working families. How much longer will Congress make working families wait for the support they’ve earned and need?

“Despite the Senate’s inaction, we remain undeterred and will continue this fight. Our Network has worked for nearly 20 years to win a national paid leave policy, and we won’t stop now. We will continue organizing and advocating for working families––especially those led by BIPOC, women, and queer folks––and ensuring that everyone is included in our nation’s prosperity. It is past time that our nation has robust, comprehensive, and equitable childcare and paid leave policies, to ensure all workers––no matter where they work, where they live, or who they love––are freed from the dread of having to choose between keeping a roof over their heads or caring for a loved one.”

Our Network leaders––primarily BIPOC and queer women––have equipped, organized, and activated hundreds of grassroots champions across the country so that Members of Congress don’t lose sight of the human cost of not having a paid leave program. Below are some of our Network leaders’ reactions to this disheartening news: 

“I’m proud of the big fight we put up this year to pass this historic legislation and disappointed in our elected leaders’ failure to move it forward. Californians will continue to fight and push for paid leave, child care, environmental protection, and more—we need this more than ever and we can’t give up.” — Jenya Cassidy, Director, California Work & Family Coalition

“American workers need help now and we have no time to waste. As we continue to navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, our leaders cannot continue to delay the critical support available to families in the Build Back Better Act, in particular, paid family and medical leave. Paid leave is good for workers, for families, and for building a healthy, happy society, yet the United States remains one of the only industrialized countries in the world without a national program. While we’re proud of Connecticut’s paid leave law, which takes effect on 1/1/22, we also know that access to paid leave should not depend on where you live or where you work. We must pass Build Back Better and implement a national paid leave policy so no worker in the U.S. is forced to choose between their lives and their livelihoods.” — Janée Woods Weber, Executive Director, Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF) // Press: Maddie Granato

“People of Florida and across America deserve a paid leave program, and the other vital programs that are safety nets for people that find themselves in need of them during unforeseen times and hardship. COVID taught us this lesson and we should have learned from it. WE ARE THE United States and we deserve better. For that reason, we are staying in the fight for paid leave for all into 2022.” — Salandra Benton, State Convener, Florida Black Women’s Roundtable 

“Build Back Better can transform the lives of women, workers, and families in Illinois by creating our first permanent, national paid leave program; investing in Illinois’ child care providers, and helping more Illinois students afford college—alongside so many other necessary investments. We should not have to wait until Congress is ready to pass Build Back Better when we have been clear that our needs are urgent! As we move into 2022, we will not stop pressuring our members of Congress to pass this critical legislation.” — Cherita Ellens, President and CEO, Women Employed, Illinois // Press: Judy Miyashita 

“The people of Maine deserve a paid leave program and other vital programs that should have passed through the Senate under Build Back Better to protect themselves and their families.  We will continue to build a united movement of people that share our vision for the future and paid leave for all in 2022.” —  Lori Clark, Southern Maine Workers Center, Maine

“Failing to move the Build Back Better Act forward before the end of this year puts many families at risk. Nevada residents deserve a world where they’re not consistently having to choose between life and livelihood. Inaction isn’t an option. We need paid family leave and other vital programs to protect our community members and their families as we enter the third year of the pandemic in 2022.” — Erika Washington, Executive Director, Make It Work Nevada, NV

“North Carolinians are frustrated at the slow pace of federal action on the Build Back Better Act. The paid leave, childcare funding, and other provisions are not only necessary but long overdue, and will help ensure a strong economy and a healthy workforce as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are eager to see the bill move early in the new year, and we will not relent in our advocacy until these policies are in place for working people and their families.” — Ana Pardo, Co-Director, Workers’ Rights Project, NC Justice Center, Convener, NC Families Care Coalition, Board Member, Family Values @ Work

“The failure to act on Build Back Better in 2021 is deeply disappointing for our families who need these investments. We hope to see action for paid leave, child care and more in 2022.” — Marilyn Watkins, Policy Director, Economic Opportunity Institute, Washington State

“The Latinx community has been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, the sense of urgency to back the Build Back Better Act is only growing. Congress, do your job and pass Build Back Better. We need to get this done and begin the process of healing in our Latinx communities.” — Yadira Sanchez, Co-Executive Director, Poder Latinx, Washington State // Press: Jackie Smith