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Tell Congress: All U.S. workers need paid family leave

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 7, 2023) — The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) passed 30 years ago and guaranteed 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year to working families.

Led by the National Partnership for Women & Families, the labor movement fought in coalition with women’s, disability, children’s, religious and senior citizens’ groups. After nine years, politicians finally put good policy ahead of party and passed the FMLA with bipartisan support.

Working people in the United States have used the FMLA more than 460 million times since then.

But the FMLA is a stepping stone—unpaid leave isn’t good enough.

TAKE A STAND — Please send a letter to your U.S. Representative and Senators urging them to support a national paid family leave policy that covers ALL workers in the country.

The United States is one of the only countries in the world that has no national paid leave. Eleven states, including Washington, have stepped up to establish paid family and medical leave programs, but most states do not. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 3 in 4 (76 percent) private sector employees in the U.S. do not have access to paid family leave.

Working people deserve better. No one should have to choose between a paycheck or their health and family.

So the AFL-CIO will keep fighting—for paid sick leave, for paid parental leave, and for the dignity and respect working families deserve. Tell your member of Congress to support a national paid leave policy.

CHECK OUT THE UNION DIFFERENCE in Washington: higher wages, affordable health and dental care, job and retirement security.

FIND OUT HOW TO JOIN TOGETHER with your co-workers to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and a voice at work. Or go ahead and contact a union organizer today!