Andrew's Parental Leave for the Twins!

Andrew Barrett, his wife Jen Barrett, and their three-year-old son are expecting new twin boys in October! We want them to get to be together during the first weeks of the twins’ lives, so we are raising money to help cover Andrew so he can enjoy a paid parental leave that otherwise cannot be obtained through his work.

Andrew is a 22.4 driver at UPS, and he is the sole source of income for his growing family. Contract negotiations between management and the Teamsters are ongoing, but it’s looking like it could be a major win for UPS package drivers like Andrew! Our fingers are crossed that the workers get everything they asked for in this contract.

That said, no new decisions will include paid parental leave for drivers in Andrew’s position. Andrew could take unpaid FMLA time off when the twins arrive, but that would put a major financial strain on his family.

The U.S. is one of the only countries in the world that doesn’t require a minimum paid leave for new parents. We know that everyone deserves to welcome new babies into the world without worrying about bills and house payments. Andrew and Jen deserve to be together when the twins are born, without fear and anxiety of their family’s basic needs going unmet.

Every $1,000 we raise with his fundraiser equates to one week of regular income for Andrew.

If we can reach our goal of $6,000, that would be six weeks’ equivalent of paid parental leave for the Barrett family: the absolute bare minimum for parental leave by many standards.

We hope you will take the time to share this fundraiser with your circles. Every little bit matters! All proceeds go to Andrew and Jen even if this fundraiser doesn’t meet its goals, but I believe we can do it. Let’s mobilize our people and make it happen!

Solidarity with Andrew, all parents, and all workers!