Good jobs with benefits and health care topped working women's concerns and experiences in the AFL-CIO's 2004 Ask a Working Woman Survey.

Nearly half – 48 percent – of working women surveyed by Lake Snell Perry & Associates on behalf of the AFL-CIO said they, a family member or a close friend have been out of work during the past year. The experience with joblessness is greater for women of color.

Ninety percent of women said it is difficult to find jobs that pay well and provide benefits in today's job market. A large majority of those surveyed said rising health care costs, the potential loss of overtime pay, and white collar jobs going overseas are major concerns related to their jobs.

Twenty-nine percent said they make all or almost all of their families' income. Some 62 percent said they make about half or more of family income. Some 58 percent of working women with children said they earn about half or more of their families' incomes.

Working women ranked their legislative priorities in the following order: affordable health care; strengthening Social Security; strengthening pensions; limiting CEO compensation; reducing job discrimination; protecting overtime pay; strengthening equal pay laws; expanding family and medical leave; strengthening affirmative action laws; and improving child care.

Nearly all – 95 percent – said that having secure, affordable health insurance is an important benefit. One-third said they do not have health insurance benefits at work. Some 93 percent said prescription drug coverage is an important benefit, but more than one-third said they do not have the benefit.

Some 88 percent said they consider pension or retirement benefits important, but 34 percent said they don't have them through work.

Ninety-three percent said equal pay is important, but 25 percent of the working women said they don't have it.

Some 79 percent said guaranteed overtime pay is important, but 43 percent said they don't have it. About 80 percent said control over their work hours is important, but 64 percent said they lack that control.

Some 93 percent said paid sick leave is important, but 31 percent said they don't have it. Nearly 90 percent said that paid vacation time is important, but 28 percent said they don't have it.

Nearly half of those surveyed said child care is an important benefit, but 79 percent said they don't have it.