U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand unveiled a five-point plan in Buffalo Friday that she says would update workplace rules to strengthen middle-class families. Gillibrand's American Opportunity Agenda would increase the minimum wage to above the poverty rate, make quality affordable day care more accessible, provide universal pre-K, ensure equal pay for equal work, and create paid family medical leave.
"Basically, every employee and every employer puts a little bit on money in an account every single week. It's about the cost of a cup of coffee. And for the cost of a cup of coffee a week, you can have that piece of mind to know, should you have a child, should you have a challenge in your family where someone is gravely ill, you can take that leave that is mandated, but you can take it on a paid basis so that you can provide for your family," Gillibrand said.
The Hudson Valley Democrat says while our country guarantees unpaid leave, many people can't afford to go without a paycheck.
Gillibrand was in town as part of the Western New York Women's Foundation Pathways to Progress Speaker Series.