MOMS,
DADS, KIDS CELEBRATE PARENTAL LEAVE
By
John
Tarleton, Clarion Staff
A
fuller account of this event appears in the
December '09 Clarion.
In 2008,
CUNY faculty and professional staff became the first
public sector employees in the State of New York to
win a paid parental leave benefit. On October 24,
dozens of beneficiaries gathered at the PSC union
hall to celebrate the eight weeks of paid leave they
have been able to enjoy with their newborn and
adopted children and to look forward to how they can
ensure this pilot program is made permanent in the
next round of contract talks.
Hunter
assistant professor of education Ann Ebe’s first
child was born on August 18. Ebe, 35, said being
able to be fully present during her daughter’s early
development has been invaluable.
Ann Ebe,
Christiana (nine weeks old) and Christopher.
Photo credit: Pat Arnow
“It’s
been wonderful to be at home with her and see her
develop and grow,” Ebe said. “A few weeks ago she
began to smile and that’s huge. It makes it all
worthwhile.”
Paid
parental leave has also been a big help to new dads.
LaGuardia Associate HEO Suraj Singh said the benefit
allowed him to stay at home to help his wife with
everything from grocery shopping to lifting heavy
objects following a Caesarian section.
Suraj
Singh, Sophia (nine and a half months old) and Tina.
Photo credit: Pat Arnow
Negotiations on a new labor contract begin next
year. Many party attendees filled out pledge forms
promising to assist with the campaign to preserve
and expand the benefit.
Queens
College assistant professor of political science Keena
Lipsitz signed up for a number of tasks including letter
writing, attending chapter meetings, talking with
colleagues, participating in campus activities to build
leverage and attending negotiating sessions. Lipsitz,
37, is currently using the benefit to spend time at home
this semester with her 5-month-old daughter.
“It [the
benefit] is a tremendous help for junior faculty up for
tenure,” she said. “It’s really helped me and I want it
to be there for other people.”
Keena Lipsitz, Lia (five months old) and Rica
(two years old). Photo credit: Pat Arnow
Kid (and
mom and dad) power. Photo credit: Pat Arnow
