A living wage. A voice at work.
Protect unions, repeal right-to-work laws federally in every state, guarantee access to a public job and provide 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave.
Realistic now
Raise wages toward a living wage, enforce collective bargaining rights and fund 12 weeks of paid leave. Start a public jobs guarantee through local employers and public agencies.
The ideal
Anyone who needs work can take a useful, union-standard public job. People can take time to care for family or recover without losing their income.
Benefits
A stronger wage floor, collective bargaining and paid leave give workers more security.
Costs / risks
Set regional wage rules, fund jobs people need, and give small businesses a workable transition and leave reimbursement.
Real life
Federal FMLA generally provides eligible workers up to 12 workweeks of job-protected unpaid leave. Paid leave here is a policy demand.
U.S. DOL · FMLA · U.S. Code · 29 USC § 157 · U.S. DOL · Worker rights