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National Women's Committee Report: It's Time for Paid Family Leave in the U.S.

The next step forward in medical leave is the FAMILY Act. Introduced last year, this legislation would establish a self-sustaining, national paid leave insurance plan funded by employer and employee contributions.

Did you know that just 11 percent of U.S. workers have access to paid family leave through their employers? And only 40 percent have access to personal medical leave?

The Family and Medical Leave Act, passed more than 20 years ago, provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, but it doesn't do enough. That's the focus of a new report by CWA's National Women's Committee member Esther Pond, CWA Local 3806.

The next step forward is the FAMILY Act. Introduced last year by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), this legislation would establish a self-sustaining, national paid leave insurance plan funded by employer and employee contributions.

Private and public, full time and part time, and self-employed workers would be eligible for the benefits.

Some states like New Jersey, California and Rhode Island already have put in place paid leave insurance programs, but we need a national law to make sure that all workers can better balance their work and family responsibilities.

Read more about the Family Act in the full report.

And then become a CWA Human Rights activist and help push important measure like the Family Act forward.

Sign up here.