On August 5th, 1993, President Bill Clinton signed his first bill into law: the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The bill had been introduced to Congress each session for 9 years and was vetoed twice by President George H.W. Bush. But after nearly a
Until 1993, most American workers were on their own when they welcomed a new baby or faced a personal or family health crisis. But on August 5, 1993 – 20 years ago today – the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) took effect. The FMLA guarantee
Last week, the Washington State Labor Council (WSLC), AFL-CIO, hosted their 2013 State Convention. The convention is an annual gathering of of the WSLC’s more than 500 affiliated labor organizations, representing about 400,000 members across Washington.
Families in Rhode Island will now have access to paid family and medical leave thanks to new legislation signed into law by Governor Chafee this week. Championed by We Care Rhode Island and Family Values at Work, Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregivers
After two special legislative sessions this year, it’s safe to say that many of us are glad it’s finally over! The actions of the legislature were driven by the need to pass the state’s operating budget and sharp political divisions between the Ho
From Healthy Tacoma: No one should have to work sick, or choose between staying home with a sick child and losing pay. Yet 2 in 5 workers in Tacoma have no paid sick leave, including thousands who work in grocery stores, restaurants, and medical centers.
During the regular session, the Senate passed two bills that would repeal family and medical leave insurance and roll back paid sick leave protections. Conservative members of the House and Senate have promised to bring both these bills back to the Spec
By Marilyn Watkins, from Washington Policy Watch: I’ve been a mom for 28 years now – and a daughter for a lot longer. At this point, I’d rather have time with my sons for Mother’s Day than the little handmade gifts they used to give me when they w
By Janet Walsh, from Thompson Reuters: Diana T. worked full-time for a large retail store in the US when she became pregnant. Her manager was unhappy about her pregnancy and about Diana’s six-week unpaid maternity leave. Her employer refused to pay he
By Vicki Shabo, from the National Partnership for Women and Families: Last month, I wrote about a disturbing trend: States are passing “preemption” laws that prohibit a growing number of cities and counties from adopting their own paid sick days sta