For this month’s edition of Building Power Across Missouri, we’re spotlighting St. Louis and the fight for Paid Family Leave!
As a new mom, with a new family, the fight for all workers to be able to be there for their families is deeply personal. No matter what we look like, where we call home, or what’s in our wallets, we all work hard for our families. Through this pandemic, and the tragic events of the past month, the need to build an economy that works for all of us – especially Black and brown workers like me, could not be more clear.
We’re facing a caregiving crisis in America. More than 53 million people provide unpaid caregiving every year without the support they need. Most of us will need to take time away from work to deal with a serious personal or family health issue or to welcome a new child into our family. But today, certain politicians and corporations force our families to choose between taking time to care for our loved ones or going into debt.
With your help, we’re changing that.
In St. Louis, Jobs with Justice leaders and our partners knocked on doors, made phone calls, and met with local leaders to make Paid Family Leave policies a priority for our communities. During her State of the City speech, Mayor Tishaura Jones committed $1 million for paid family leave for St. Louis City workers!
This is a big step for St. Louis – and Missouri. By working together and sharing our stories, we will build a world where we all have the paid time off we need to welcome a child, care for a loved one, or recover from illness.
Tell me, why do you support Paid Family Leave?
In Solidarity,
Alicia Hernández
St. Louis Organizer
