The moment for celebration is almost here: After 400 years in the shadows of slavery, 75 years of invisibility and exclusion under US labor law, and 6 years of a hard-fought struggle in the New York State legislature, domestic workers are about to gain the rights, respect, and recognition they deserve!
Last Tuesday Ms. Foundation Program Officer Sangeeta Budhiraja was featured on Juggling Act with Dr. Lori Sokol. The show on Connecticut's AM1490 WGCH strives “to empower individuals to triumph over gender-related societal limits so they can reach their full potential unhindered.” |
| Governor David A. Paterson |
"Today, both houses of the Legislature passed legislation that truly deserves to be called historic. It would make New York the first State in the nation to enshrine in law the basic rights of a class of workers that has historically and wrongfully been excluded from such protections: the domestic workers who care for our children, clean our homes, and provide the elderly with companionship. Their work is of incalculable value, yet our laws have failed to recognize it. This bill would change that, and serve as a model for such change on a national scale.
The bill passed today reflects an agreement reached earlier this week between my office and both houses of the Legislature. I am glad to have been a part of this process, and congratulate the sponsors, Assemblyman Keith Wright and Senator Diane Savino, who should feel justifiably proud of their achievement. Most of all, I must express my gratitude to the thousands of individual domestic workers who organized and fought for this legislation. They provide all of us with an example of how individuals can, through struggle and dedication, bring about positive change in the face of skepticism and doubt. This achievement belongs to them, and I will be pleased to sign it into law on their behalf." [Source]We appreciate the work of the Governor and the New York State legislature and congratulate our grantee partners, especially Domestic Workers United, on their victory. We look forward to the expansion of these rights to domestic workers nationwide.
My name is _____ and I'm calling to express my support for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Domestic workers have been excluded from the labor laws for too long. They are not asking for special rights. They work alone and have no power to negotiate for better working conditions. Uniquely vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, this bill is the only way that domestic workers can get what they deserve for the important work they do. New Yorkers want and need this legislation.Help us push for a final bill that will guarantee basic benefits like paid time off and notice of termination for domestic workers. Make a difference today.
On the floor, the debate was a moral one -- will we as a state take measures to end the exclusions that we know are wrong, or will we make excuses for the status quo that leaves out 200,000 working women of color? After 6 years of organizing by domestic workers together with unions, employers, clergy and community organizations, the New York State Senate stood on the right side of history.It's an amazing achievement for Ms. Foundation grantees NDWA and Domestic Workers United, and the thousands of domestic workers they represent in New York -- and nationwide. The work's not yet over -- in the next month there will will be much to do to ensure that the bills are indeed reconciled and then set on Governor Paterson's desk -- but this is a victory worth cheering about.
An editorial in today's New York Times calls on Albany, which "has not been able to govern its way out of a paper bag" to "bestow some fundamental rights and protections on the invisible workers whose labors are a cornerstone of the New York economy."
Bringing domestic workers up to parity with employees in other industries is the just, responsible and long-overdue action for New York State. See our recent postings from the Ms. Foundation’s Outrageous Acts campaign and learn how to contact your legislators to ask that they vote in favor of the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, legislation that was drafted by our grantee, Domestic Workers United. There is currently a tremendous opportunity for victory: If New York State lawmakers can put aside their differences in time to pass the bill, Governor Patterson has pledged to sign it into law. The full text of the Times editorial follows.
The Rights of Domestic WorkersNew York Times Editorial
June 15, 2009
There are more than 200,000 workplaces in New York State where fundamental labor standards do not apply, not even in theory. These are not sweatshops or salt mines. They are private homes, where housekeepers, nannies and caregivers for the elderly do work as important as it is isolated and unprotected.
The exclusion is a relic of the New Deal, when labor protections like overtime pay were written specifically to exclude domestic and farm labor. From exclusion it can be a short distance to abuse: to long hours, low pay, dehumanizing treatment, physical and sexual harassment.
Domestic workers and their advocates in New York have been pressing for reforms. They have been telling their stories in Albany and across the state and steadily gathering support for a Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. The legislation, the first of its kind in the nation, would reform state labor law to provide basic protections like time-and-a-half pay for every hour over a 40-hour week; one day off a week; paid vacation and sick days; severance pay and health coverage — and a means of enforcing these standards in court.
Most other workers take these standards for granted. They don’t know what it’s like to have to show up for work sick rather than be fired, to be denied privacy and dignity, to be powerless to demand decent treatment from their employers.
Backers of the bill had been confident that this could finally be the year for a groundbreaking victory, at least before the recent power struggle brought the Capitol to new depths of shame, ridicule and paralysis.
If the Legislature decides to return to its senses and start passing meaningful legislation that improves New Yorkers’ lives, it should include the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. Albany, which has not been able to govern its way out of a paper bag, should at least be able to bestow some fundamental rights and protections on the invisible workers whose labors are a cornerstone of the New York economy.
The Rights of
Domestic Workers
New York Times Editorial
June 15, 2009
There are more than 200,000 workplaces in New York State where fundamental labor standards do not apply, not even in theory. These are not sweatshops or salt mines. They are private homes, where housekeepers, nannies and caregivers for the elderly do work as important as it is isolated and unprotected.
The exclusion is a relic of the New Deal, when labor protections like overtime pay were written specifically to exclude domestic and farm labor. From exclusion it can be a short distance to abuse: to long hours, low pay, dehumanizing treatment, physical and sexual harassment.
Domestic workers and their advocates in New York have been pressing for reforms. They have been telling their stories in Albany and across the state and steadily gathering support for a Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights. The legislation, the first of its kind in the nation, would reform state labor law to provide basic protections like time-and-a-half pay for every hour over a 40-hour week; one day off a week; paid vacation and sick days; severance pay and health coverage” and a means of enforcing these standards in court.
Most other workers take these standards for granted. They don't know what it's like to have to show up for work sick rather than be fired, to be denied privacy and dignity, to be powerless to demand decent treatment from their employers.
Backers of the bill had been confident that this could finally be the year for a groundbreaking victory, at least before the recent power struggle brought the Capitol to new depths of shame, ridicule and paralysis.
If the Legislature decides to return to its senses and start passing meaningful legislation that improves New Yorkers' lives, it should include the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights. Albany, which has not been able to govern its way out of a paper bag, should at least be able to bestow some fundamental rights and protections on the invisible workers whose labors are a cornerstone of the New York economy.
If you read back in the 1930s, the reason that these workers and farmworkers did not receive equal benefits is because the southern Senators wouldn’t vote for it. It really began with the racism of the mid 20th century. Clearly in the law these workers deserve equal rights and if they are able to pass the Bill or if they are able to get the legislature to even come back, I will sign it.
Show Your Support
More information on the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights is available in the radio interviews below, our previous post and from Domestic Workers United.
Radio Interviews
Brian Lehrer interview with Keith Wright (D-70th) sponsor in the New York State Assembly of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, Ai-Jen Poo, lead organizer with Domestic Workers United, working nanny Barbara Young, and Donna Schneiderman, co-chair of Jews for Racial & Economic Justice’s “Shalom Bayit” campaign at DWU.
Brian Lehrer interview with Governor David Patterson on the shake up in the State Senate and what to expect in the waning days of the legislative session (includes his expression of support for 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/
Dear Assembly Member [ ] or Senator [ ][3] Send the Same Message to the Assembly and Senate Leadership
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.
Sheldon Silver, Speaker, New York State Assembly
Email: Speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
Web site contact page
[4] Do Some More
Share this message with your friends and contacts.Visit Albany - Monday June 8, 2009
6:30am - 8:00pm
Domestic Workers Speak Truth to Power in Albany
Join domestic workers for a day of culture, testimony, truth-telling, legislative visits, a rally and march at a critical time in the legislative session.
24-Hour Vigil for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights
Many domestic workers, particularly live-in workers, work around the clock without rest. In solidarity, New Yorkers will stand together for 24 hours straight in a symbolic show of support for the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to ensure domestic workers receive overtime, job security, basic respect and recognition.
NY Children and Families March for Domestic Workers Rights
Bring your entire family, community and congregation to this Sunday afternoon, after-church, “march for peace and justice in the home” to show how many people of faith support and are connected to domestic workers. Send a strong message to the NY State Legislature and the Governor that we won’t stop until they honor, respect and protect the work that makes all other work possible in New York.
National Domestic Workers Alliance Regional Congress Public Forum - Women and Work
Join domestic worker organizers, feminist scholars, activists, legislators, and other allies to raise awareness on how to extend protections to all working women. Featuring a video presentation of women leaders from across the country who are raising their voices to support the work being done on behalf of domestic workers in this country. Video includes Jennifer Baumgardner, activist and author; the Guerilla Girls, artists and activists; Maria Hinojosa, Senior Correspondent of NOW on PBS and NPR’s Latino USA anchor; Katha Pollitt, author and The Nation columnist; Amy Richards, activist and author; Gloria Steinem, activist and Ms. Magazine/Ms. Foundation co-founder; and Jessica Valenti, Feministing.com founder.
