Support the New York State Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

Act now. With only two weeks left in the New York State legislative session, now is the time to tell your Assembly and Senate representatives and their leadership to support the New York State Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. With the economic crisis causing widespread job loss and pay cuts it is even more important that the 200,000 domestic workers in New York — mostly immigrants and women of color — who are excluded from most labor protections and safety nets are given a fair chance to support themselves and their families.

Take action to help make the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights the law in New York.

Today: Write Your New York State Representatives

[1] Find Your Assembly Member and Senator
Assembly: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/
Senate: http://www.nysenate.gov/

[2] Send Them a Message

Dear Assembly Member [ ] or Senator [ ]

I endorse the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights because domestic workers are entitled to a healthy and safe workplace, dignity and respect, and protection from exploitation and abuse. Protecting domestic workers ensures healthy workers and quality of life in the homes and families they care for, and for domestic workers’ own families.

There are over 200,000 domestic workers (nannies, elderly companions, housekeepers) in New York. The vast majority are immigrant women of color.

Without the work of domestic workers the economy would grind to a halt. Domestic workers support their families and enable many sectors of professionals to work and have leisure time. Yet, domestic workers are among the most vulnerable workforces, suffering egregious abuses. Domestic workers remain excluded—by law—from almost all labor protections. The Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights would provide recognition as a real workforce and a set of basic protections based on the unique conditions facing domestic workers working in the private home. The bill includes health care, basic benefits and protections, and an end to the previous exclusions from the law.

[3] Send the Same Message to the Assembly and Senate Leadership

Sheldon Silver, Speaker, New York State Assembly
Email: Speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
Web site contact page

Malcolm A. Smith, Majority Leader, New York State Senate
Email: masmith@senate.state.ny.us
Web site contact page

[4] Do Some More

Share this message with your friends and contacts.
Visit Domestic Workers United for more information.
Come back to this site for more actions you can take.

[Photo: Elizabeth Rappaport]