Over the years, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and the Partnership for Working Families have been at the forefront of campaigns to implement a family leave insurance program and have worked to develop meaningful and appropriate legislation on this issue. Believing that no worker should have to choose between their jobs and their ability to spend the first critical weeks of a child's life, or between a paycheck and a desire to care for a seriously ill family member, we urge the Legislature to take action on this pro-family issue.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a constituent of yours, I hope you will agree that workers should not have to choose between their jobs and their ability to spend the first critical weeks of a child's life, or between a paycheck and a desire to care for a seriously ill family member.

That is why I am joining the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, the New Jersey Partnership for Working Families and workers throughout our state in calling for the state to support Paid Family Leave Legislation (A-873). Your support of this initiative will give workers the opportunity to take up to 6 weeks off at two-thirds of their pay up to approximately $524 a week to care for a seriously ill family member, newborn or newly adopted child. Additionally, this program will be funded by a minimal employee contribution of approximately $33 a year, with no cost to employers. The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world that does not offer this type of income support.

The bill has been posted for a vote in the Assembly for Thursday, March 13, 2008, and I respectfully ask for your support of this pro-family legislation at that time. On behalf of myself and my family, I look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
March 11, 2008