Fast food workers – and many other hourly workers in America – often have no idea what their work schedules will be from one day to the next.  Without certainty about one’s work schedule, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to arrange child care, pursue education or generally manage one’s life.  ABB has been working to develop policy solutions to problems of abusive scheduling, which also include “clopening” – requirements to work late into the night and show up early the next morning with barely a break for sleep.

Today Mayor de Blasio announced he will work with the City Council to propose legislation that will require that all fast food workers receive their schedules two weeks in advance and that there be at least a ten hour break between the end of a work day and the beginning of the next.  ABB has been working with the Mayor’s office over the last few months on this issue.  At his press conference today, the Mayor thanked A Better Balance for our advocacy (along with our partners Center for Popular Democracy, Make the Road New York and SEIU 32BJ).  He – as well as Council members Brad Lander and Corey Johnson who were there to support the proposal — also said that this is the next step in enacting policies to improve the lives of all New Yorkers, citing paid sick days,paid family leave and pregnancy accommodation as key accomplishments – all policies ABB has fought for and won.  We now look forward to working with the Mayor and City Council to craft strong and effective legislation so that workers will have some control over their work hours –an essential element in ensuring that workers can both care for and support their families.

A Better Balance has been working closely with advocates and policymakers in Washington State on the issue of paid family leave. In May, we testified (via Skype!) before the Seattle City Council on the importance of paid family leave and urged the Council to expand paid family leave benefits for the city’s public workforce. Two months later, the Seattle City Council and Mayor announced that they would double paid parental leave for city employees from 4 to 8 weeks (with most city employees able to add on existing paid leave to receive at least 12 weeks of paid leave when welcoming a new child). We were also thrilled that Seattle created a new policy that entitles city employees to 4 weeks of paid family leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition. To build on this victory, the University of Washington and Seattle City Council hosted a symposium in August—bringing together advocates, city and state elected officials, and researchers—on the need for paid family leave among private sector workers in both Seattle and Washington State. Jared Make, A Better Balance’s Senior Staff Attorney, spoke on two panels regarding the various models for paid family leave, the successful passage of New York’s paid family leave law, and the momentum for this issue around the country.

On August 31, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law a package of legislation targeting both paid and unpaid caregivers. At the signing at City Hall, we spoke in favor of the Division of Paid Care, a new office within the Department of Consumer Affairs that will support and advocate for home care and childcare workers. Another bill signed the same day will survey New York City’s unpaid and family caregivers to determine their most pressing needs.

New Shop Steward’s Guide Will Help Unions Support Pregnant Workers

“You (ABB) helped me out to overcome a very tough situation. By informing me of my rights and with your constant counseling, you gave me the strength and the emotional support to be able to resolve it. I was able to keep working till the end of my pregnancy and I got my hours back. Thanks so much.”

Joselyn in New York City