Today’s Action: Support paid leave for family care

Under our current system, if you are sick, have a sick family member, new child, or an elderly parent, and you need to take time off from work…chances are you’ll be walking away from a paycheck.

About 38% of Americans currently have access and the ability to take unpaid leave, through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) — but the majority either do not have this privilege or even if they do, simply cannot afford to leave work for a length of time.

The Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act proposes to fix this, creating a national paid family and medical leave insurance plan that will cover you and provide a paycheck for when (we hope it never happens, but if it happens) you need to take time off to care for a loved one.

Call or email your Members of Congress and tell them you support paid family and medical leave, and they should too. Check to see if your reps have cosponsored yet (House/Senate), and thank them if they have!

The FAMILY Act will cover nearly all U.S. workers:

• 12 weeks of of paid leave (up to 66% of current missed wages, up to $4000 a month) for the birth or adoption of a child or care for your own or a family member’s medical issues.
• Applicable to nearly all workers, including part-time, self-employed, low-wage, and younger employees
• Funded responsibly through employer and employee contribution, but no more than 2 cents per $10 earned in any paycheck, and available for ALL who need it, when they need it.

It’s an awesome social net that all workers deserve…regardless of political party.

Email or call (202.224.3121) your Members of Congress and ask them to cosponsor the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act. Check to see if your reps have signed on yet (House/Senate)!