Family Medical Leave Expanded to Cover Wounded Military

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AFL-CIO News Blog

by James Parks,

Through the efforts of the Democratic majority in Congress, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has been extended for the first time since the bill was passed 15 years ago. The legislation extends unpaid family and medical leave for up to six months for the families of wounded military personnel.

The law enables military family members to take FMLA leave for “any qualifying exigency” relating to a family member’s call up to active duty or deployment.

Just three weeks ago, President Bush vetoed defense authorization legislation that included provisions to extend the FMLA to family members of wounded service members. The White House said Bush opposed a provision in the bill, which could freeze the assets of the Iraqi government in the United States if an American sued that country. He signed the FMLA extension this week.

Debra Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families, says:

This measure can make a real difference for military families that have made great sacrifices and are under enormous stress. It is urgently needed and long overdue.

This is the first-ever expansion of the nearly 15-year-old…Act, but it should not be the last. Family and medical leave is important to all families facing serious health problems. Lawmakers should look to expand the leave this law provides, for returning service members and for all Americans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfPfqhCZmok&feature=related


Read more: http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/01/29/family-medical-leave-expanded-to-cover-wounded-military/

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[KatyaR]

1. Pardon my language, but it's about fucking time.

I'm thrilled about this, but I'd be more thrilled if it had happened years ago. Aid to military families is sorely lacking in so many ways.

[maddezmom]

2. thank you for saying it

so I didn't have to. :kick:

[InkAddict]

3. In these uncertain times, I would like to suggest that "only"

adult children should not be subjected to the one-year eligibilty rule. Jobs come and go so quickly, and only children have big responsibilities since there are no siblings to take up the slack; there may not be a spouse. They may be the sole remaining next of kin for a sick parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle/child who may be out-of-town. "Only" children grown-up should have that time regardless of how long they have been with their employer, since it is unpaid leave, to care for and/or arrange care for their family members that require it.

[Ian David]

4. Why does Bush and the Republick Party hate our troops? n/t

[dflprincess]

5. They should expand the law by making it paid leave

like many civilized countries have.

It's better than nothing, but how many people can afford to use it?