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House Panel OKs Paid Family Leave for Federal Workers |
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Federal workers could receive four weeks of paid family leave to care for a newborn or adopted child under a bill approved by a U.S. House subcommittee yesterday. If enacted, the bill also would allow federal workers to use up to eight weeks of accrued paid sick time or annual leave immediately following the first four weeks of parental leave.
Says AFGE President John Gage:
The time has come for the federal government to set the standard for U.S. employers on paid parental leave. The benefits to children and families of four weeks of paid parental leave are enormous and long lasting. This sets an example for private sector employers.
Currently, federal employees are allowed up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). But like many private-sector workers, federal employees have no paid family leave to care for a new child. Says Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), who introduced the bill:
Especially in this economy, families shouldn’t have to stress over cobbling together accrued sick days and vacation time to care for a newborn infant or newly adopted child—they should be focusing on their new family. The federal government is the largest employer in the nation, but it lags behind the private sector on this vital work-life issue, so this bill can have a big impact.
The Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (H.R. 626) was approved by the House Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, Postal Service and the District of Columbia. Similar legislation won House approval last year but never received a Senate vote. Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) has introduced the paid leave bill (S. 354) in the Senate.
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This bill is a first step, but not the whole journey that needs to be taken. Many parents are able to budget and save the money necessary to cover the 12 weeks of FMLA time. For most pregnancies, there are 9 months of planning and saving. HOWEVER, we need to get to a paid family medical leave. Illness, sudden, unexpected, severe can devastate a family. Juggling work and life and keeping enough money coming in while coping with all the expenses of said illness are daunting. This could be accomplished thru a federal insurance premium that would be collected much like social security and the rate would be extremely low due to the huge numbers of folks in the pool. A penny or two per hour could mean a world of difference for new families and for sick families. It would help with job retention and lower retraining/re-staffing costs for businesses. Congrats on the first step, but don’t stop now we’ve got a long ways to go!!!!
I hope this bill will be amended to include families of service men and women. Below is a song I wrote when a woman working for Verizon wireless was terminated because she had to care for her infants while her husband was deployed to Iraq,
To the tune of Hank Williams Sr. Cold Cold Heart
Melt Verizon’s Cold, Cold Heart
Give Kara De Witt her job back, we make this our solemn vow.
Parents of America shout “Verizon can you hear us Now!”
In October you told her be here each day at her time to start!
Why don’t you hire her back today and melt your cold, cold heart!
We’re here to today because of Kara and all working parents too!
Two infants at home, a husband in Iraq, what is a mother to do?
Stress was overwhelming from work and home just for a start.
Why don’t you care about families, and melt your cold, cold heart!
She cared for her children alone while she hoped and prayed.
Then not once but many times her husband’s return was delayed.
The uncertain feelings of worry would her husband forever part.
Why don’t you care about families, and melt your cold, cold heart!
When he returned after 19 months and she got Sick and Blue.
She is an amazing woman with all that she went through.
No vacation, or accommodations is that flexibility on your part?
Why don’t you care about families, and melt your cold, cold heart!
Why is it so hard for Verizon to be fair to their employees.
Let them take the time they need to care for their families.
Hire Kara Back with full back pay would be a very good start
Why don’t you care about families and melt your cold, cold heart!
By David Hurlburt CWA local 9410