Albany, NY — In response to Governor Cuomo’s announcement of the new Paid Family Leave benefit going into effect on January 1st, Campaign Manager of Citizen Action of New York Blue Carreker said:
“This policy marks the culmination of over a decade of advocacy and the continuation of a major shift in our nation and state’s attitude toward working families. New York is the fourth state to pass Paid Family Leave and our legislation provides the most robust benefits to date. When fully implemented in 2021, almost all private sector employees will be able to take up to twelve weeks of job protected family leave at two thirds of their average weekly salary. We can no longer construct our economy or our workplaces around assumptions that women are able to forgo job income or security to provide care for our families; that men do not want to welcome new children or provide comfort and support to an injured or dying loved one. In 2018, thanks to the activism of thousands of working families and the leadership of advocates and the Governor, we are much closer to the day when family comes first; and no one must choose between a pay check and caring for our loved ones.”
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