THURS: STEINEM, EHRENREICH and MORE to speak at VIGIL!

FRIENDS, DWU would like to take a few minutes to express to you just yow close we are to winning this Bill, and how the simple fact of your presence at Thursday's vigil can exponentially increase our chances of passing the Bill!

As you know, the Assembly has passed an "inclusion" bill that is already pretty groundbreaking, and that includes overtime after 40hrs/week, inclusion in state human rights and collective bargaining laws, and inclusion of part-time domestic workers in disability laws. It also mandates the Commissioner of Labor to do a study on the feasibility of domestic workers achieving standards and benfits like those in the full Domestic Worker Bill of Rights.

Meanwhile, the Senators have started work again today. We have overwhelming support for our Full bill in the Senate, but so far our Bill is not on their agenda. We can still get it on the agenda, and when we do, it would be the WHOLE Bill, and not just the "inclusion" one of the Assembly. And if it does get on the agenda, we have every reason to believe it will pass. And if it passes, the Governor has stated publicly that he will sign it.

BUT, to GET THE BILL ON THE AGENDA, we have to MAKE SOME NOISE ON THURSDAY!!!

THERE ARE A SLEW of fierce labor leaders and activists who have gotten on board and whil will be there for the Press Conference at 11am. NOT THE LEAST of which are Gloria Steinem, Barbara Ehrenreich, and Ana Oliviera (see full list below.)

With THEIR VOICES, and YOUR VOICES, there is no way Gov. paterson will be able to forget to include us on the Senate's agenda. So THIS THURSDAY, please join DWU FOR A 12 hour vigil to CELEBRATE DOMESTIC WORKERS!!!

12 Hour Vigil - DOMESTIC WORKERS APPRECIATION DAY

11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

THURSDAY, July 2, 2009

Governor's Office in New York City

Third Avenue near 41st Street

Certificates of Appreciation Awarded to Domestic Workers All Day

Program to include - interfaith service, performance of "Exit Cuckoo,"

a critically acclaimed play about nannies in New York, and personal testimonies

from workers, employers and children, all day long.

11:00 - Press Conference Speakers to include:

Gloria Steinem, Writer, Feminist Organizer

Barbara Ehrenreich, Journalist, New York Times Bestselling Author

Stuart Appelbaum, RWDSU

Hector Figueroa, SEIU Local 32BJ

Kevin Powell, Writer and Activist

Bhairavi Desai, NY Taxi Workers Alliance

Ana Olivera, New York Women's Foundation

Scott Sommer, United Auto Workers, Region 9

Pictures from June 14th Children and families March

On 14 Jun, 2009 children, families "marched for peace and justice in the home" to show support domestic workers. With children leading the march, many generations marched together with one common message and theme: "Let's 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."

DOMESTIC WORKERS SUPPORT NEW ASSEMBLY BILL - CALL FOR MORE PROTECTIONS IN SENATE!

DOMESTIC WORKERS SUPPORT NEW ASSEMBLY BILL AND CALL FOR MORE PROTECTIONS IN SENATE LEGISLATION, DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS

Nannies, Housekeepers and Caregivers Demanded that Women’s Work be Protected

New York, NY June 23, 2009— Today New York’s nannies, housekeepers and caretakers gathered in Washington Square Park, to educate other domestic workers on a new Assembly bill that was voted on yesterday, to include domestic workers in existing labor laws. A significant reversal of a long history of exclusion and discrimination, domestic workers supported the Assembly’s efforts while urging New York State Senators to go further, including basic labor standards like notice of termination, paid sick days and paid holidays.

Yesterday’s Assembly Bill includes overtime after 40 hours per week, one day of rest per week, inclusion in state human rights and collective bargaining laws, and inclusion of part-time domestic workers in disability laws. It also mandates the Commissioner of Labor conduct a study on the feasibility of domestic workers achieving standards and benefits like those in the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in the absence of law. The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, on the other hand, guarantees health care, notice of termination, severance pay, sick days, and other basic labor protections to over 200,000 domestic workers throughout New York. The New York State Senate Codes Committee has approved the full Bill of Rights and recently Governor David Patterson publicly stated that he will sign the bill once it is passed in both houses.

At today’s news conference in Washington Square Park, a traditional meeting place for nannies and caregivers, domestic workers joined employers, labor leaders and other supporters and discussed the next steps in the five-year campaign to establish basic labor standards. Allies from Adhikaar for Human Rights and Social Justice, Domestic Workers United, and National Jobs with Justice educated others about the additional rights protected by the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. Joycelyn, former nanny and organizer with Domestic Workers United stated that the bill is “about respect, it’s about justice, it’s about dignity, and it will bring stability to this work that makes all other work possible.” Individual domestic workers also offered personal testimony in protest of their exploitation, stressing the moral, democratic, and personal responsibility to support the legislation of actual labor standards and benefits in addition to the eliminating exclusions.

In an open letter to the New York Senate sent today, domestic workers and endorsers such as feminist icon and writer, Gloria Steinem and President of the AFL-CIO, John J. Sweeney urged the Senate to take a historic step forward toward creating labor standards and recognition of domestic work as part of the workforce. A workforce that is disproportionately made up of women of color, the bill in its entirety has the potential to undo the legacy of racism and sexism that has shaped poor conditions in the profession of domestic work. “Isolated in their employers’ private homes, domestic workers risk their livelihoods to ask for benefits other New Yorkers take for granted,” and if the bill is not passed, “employers will continue to deny the humanity of domestic workers.” The letter calls upon the Senate to bring the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights to the floor for a vote, so that it can become a law this year.

DOMESTIC WORKERS URGE SENATE TO TAKE ACTION, PASS BILL

OPEN LETTER TO THE NEW YORK SENATE
June 19, 2009

Dear Senator Pedro Espada, Senator John Sampson, Senator Dean Skelos and Senator Malcolm Smith:

We urge you to pass the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights, S2311, in its entirety, in the New York State Senate this legislative session.

Every day, over 200,000 workers who are mostly women of color, go to work as nannies, housekeepers and elderly caregivers. They care for the most important elements of their employers’ lives: their families and homes, so that their employers can go to work with peace of mind. Despite the critical care they provide, they are vulnerable to some of the worst abuses imaginable, and lack the power to negotiate for basic rights and benefits. Isolated in their employers’ private homes, most domestic workers risk their livelihoods to ask for benefits other New Yorkers take for granted.

Until the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights is passed, domestic workers will suffer in the shadows of homes throughout New York State, just as they have for generations. Now is the moment to recognize the work, protect the workforce, and change the course of history.

If you end this legislative session without passing the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, some employers of domestic workers will go on vacation like they always have, without paying any vacation time or severance pay to their domestic workers. Harriett, a nanny, was asked to take the summer off unpaid, when her employers went away for the summer. He then told her during this unpaid vacation that she would no longer be needed. Employers will continue to treat workers as disposable and neglect domestic workers’ own families whose livelihoods depend on regular paychecks.

If you end this legislative session without passing the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, some employers of domestic workers will continue to verbally, emotionally, and physically abuse their workers, sometimes locking them in their homes and forcing them to work for horrifying wages and periods of time. Marichu was a housekeeper and nanny from the Philippines who worked 18 hours a day and 7 days a week, for only $100 a month - a mere 6 cents an hour. Employers can continue to deny their domestic workers a day of rest; overtime pay after 40 hours; and sick pay when they fall ill.

If you end this legislative session without passing the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights,, some employers of domestic workers will deny their workers the right to take care of their health and well-being. Caroline, another housecleaner, was made to return to her job only 4 days after breast surgery; forced to work on holidays because she was not American, and was terminated without notice as her boss pushed her off the porch and kicked her, calling her racist slurs. If you leave Albany before this bill is passed, some employers will continue to deny the humanity of domestic workers.

Just last week, the Assembly Codes Committee passed a bill supporting the end to exclusions of domestic workers in the existing law. We are counting on the Senate to pass an even stronger bill and bring the type of reform and people-focused legislation we have been counting on all along. We believe that the Senate is committed to passing this historic piece of legislation - the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights has already passed through the Senate Codes Committee. In addition, our 27 co-sponsors in the Senate have officially committed their support and leadership on the issue. We know the Senate understands this importance of this legislation and we’re counting on you. Do not end this legislative session without passing this urgent piece of legislation.

Urgently,

Initiating Organizational Signatories: Adhikaar for Human Rights and Social Justice, Andolan Organizing South Asian Workers, Damayan Migrant Workers Association, Domestic Workers United, Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, Unity Housecleaners of Long Island

To endorse as an organization, please email: domesticworkersuntied@gmai

l.com
To sign on as individual: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/884/t/6342/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1891

ASSEMBLY TO VOTE TODAY!

NEWS CONFERENCE

ASSEMBLY TO VOTE TODAY ON BILL TO INCLUDE DOMESTIC WORKERS IN LABOR LAWS -- NANNIES REACT IN THE PARKS, CALLING ON SENATE TO PASS FIRST DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS

Nannies, Housekeepers and Caregivers Demand that Women?s Work is Protected

New York, NY June 22, 2009? Tomorrow New York?s nannies, housekeepers and caretakers will gather in Washington Square Park, to educate other domestic workers on a new Assembly bill to include domestic workers in existing the labor laws. A significant reversal of a long history of exclusion and discrimination, domestic workers will support the Assembly?s efforts while urging New York State Senators to go further, including basic labor standards like notice of termination, paid sick days and paid holidays.

At tomorrow?s news conference in Washington Square Park, a traditional meeting place for nannies and caregivers, domestic workers will be joined by employers, labor leaders and other supporters to discuss the next steps in the Senate to establish basic labor standards, set a strong national precedent and pass the first Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

Today?s Assembly ?inclusion bill? covers overtime after 40 hours per week, one day of rest per week, inclusion in state human rights and collective bargaining laws, and inclusion of part-time domestic workers in disability laws. It also mandates the Commissioner of Labor conduct a study on the feasibility of domestic workers achieving standards and benefits like those in the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in the absence of law.

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights guarantees health care, notice of termination, severance pay, sick days, and other basic labor protections to over 200,000 domestic workers throughout New York. The New York State Senate Codes Committee has approved the full Bill of Rights and recently Governor David Patterson publicly stated that he will sign the bill once it is passed in both houses.

Recently members of Domestic Workers United took part in a week-long series of speak-outs and vigils in Albany and New York City where workers called on legislators to reverse the long history of excluding domestic workers from labor laws, and to establish basic rights and benefits for employees in private homes. The week of events culminated in a March for Respect where domestic workers, employers and their children marched through downtown Manhattan.

WHAT	News conference
WHO	Domestic Workers United, nannies, housekeepers, caregivers Domestic Employers, Labor Leaders
WHERE	Washington Square Park- UNDERNEATH THE ARCH West Village, Washington Square Park - Take any train to West 4th Street
WHEN	Tuesday, June 23, 11:30am

PATERSON ON RECORD: WILL SIGN BILL IF PASSED IN ALBANY!

The NYS Senate and the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

Dear Friends,

On Monday, June 8, just as the buses carrying domestic workers and supporters drove away in celebration of a successful Albany mobilization for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, we received the news about the NY State Senate. Like everyone, we were shocked, concerned and not sure how to understand what this could mean for the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in Albany this legislative session. The dust is settling, and we wanted to send you a message about where we think things are today (which of course could change at any moment).

This Bill of Rights was never a partisan bill; this bill is about respect, justice and basic human dignity. We have always approached it this way. Our five long years of organizing and consciousness raising on this Bill of Rights has paid off. We have 27 co-sponsors in the Senate, including 3 Republicans - Senators Padavan, Monserrate, and Espada. We have met with all of the senate offices within the last month or so, including Senator Skelos's key staff (the new Majority Leader), and discussed the the issues in depth. As far as we know, they have no issues with the Bill of Rights, and a majority of the NY State Senate would in fact support the passage of the Bill of Rights. Domestic workers were suffering and vulnerable before this happened, and our determination to win is stronger and clearer than ever. And as far as we're concerned, this Bill is getting to the floor in both houses this legislative session. It can happen - we can make it happen.

At this troubling time, our job as a movement is to refocus the attention of the media on the people of New York, and what we need done. This is a time of economic crisis, and the working people of New York are hurting, with domestic workers among the most vulnerable. With only days left in the legislative session, domestic workers cannot wait any longer. So, let's do what we do best - ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE. We have two important events coming up this weekend - our overnight, 24-hour vigil from Friday through Saturday morning and our "Children and Families March" from City Hall, up Broadway to Sara Roosevelt Park in the Lower East Side, Speaker Sheldon Silver's District. Let us bring our voices, our creative energy and our passion for justice to make these events the largest, most powerful actions for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to date. See you in the streets this weekend!

Feel free to email us at domesticworkersunited@gmail.com, or give us a call with any specific questions (212) 481-5747.

Friday-Saturday, June 12 - 13 - 24-HOUR VIGIL FOR THE DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS
Many domestic workers, particularly live-in workers, work around the clock without rest. We're asking all New Yorkers who support domestic workers rights, to stand together for 24 hours straight in a symbolic show of support for the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights - so that domestic workers can receive overtime, job security, basic respect and recognition.
8:00 am - 8:00 am
City Hall - across from 250 Broadway
12:00 noon Friday June 12 - Press Conference
Take the N/R to City Hall, or the 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge
RSVP, and sign up for a shift, aijendwu@gmail.com, or (212) 481-5747

Sunday, June 14 - NY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MARCH for DOMESTIC WORKERS RIGHTS
Bring your entire family, community and congregations 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. With children leading the march, many generations will march together with one common message and theme. Let's 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.
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
City Hall - across from 250 Broadway
Take the N/R to City Hall, or the 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge
RSVP, particularly with groups to joycedwu@gmail.com or (212) 481-5747

DOMESTIC WORKERS Take Albany AGAIN!

It's 6am and the first members of Domestic Workers United are arriving at Union Square in front of Barnes and Nobles. By 6:30 a sizable crew has amassed, and our two huge buses are pulling up. Everyone is exhausted, this much is clear, but above all the group is energized, buzzing, excited and nervous about the weight the day carries.

Around the 15 or so domestic workers that have gathered from Domestic Workers United and Adhikar, there are also about 30 or so supporters from Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, the Urban Justice Center, Picture the Homeless, CWA 1104, Make the Road New York, and Long Island Jobs with Justice. But the group just wasn't complete until the awesome ladies from Unity Housecleaners and a crew 11 strong from Hatian Women for Hatian Refugees finally arrived at the scene.

With our overall group about 60 strong, we flooded "the well" at the center of the New York State Legislative office, and for 5 hours we heard the moving testimony of domestic workers and their daughters, employers, and supporters. We were also honored to be joined by Senators Diane Savino and Bill Perkins, Assemblyman Keith Wright, and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, and our lobbyist Richard Winsten, all of whom reconfirmed their firm support for the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights!

Throughout the day, 8 teams met with key Senators and Assemblymembers to secure new votes, and so far at least one Senator signed-on to the Bill on the spot!! During the day, a group of domestic workers from Hatian Women for Hatian Refugees delivered to Governor Patterson the banner that hundreds of people signed at the Harlem Community Dinner.

We ended the day with a powerful march around the square, and chanted in unison until the buses finally came by to pick us up and bring us home to New York.

Though the day was a success, on our way out of Albany we heard the startling news that Senators Monserrate and Espada, two democrats, had switched to the republican party, officially swinging the Senate to a republican majority. Because of this, there is a new Senate Majority Leader, Senator Dean Skelos. Although Monserrate and Espada both support the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, it is still unclear how the political shift in the Senate will impact our Bill. In addition, Speaker Silver is still waivering in his support for the Bill.

FOR THIS REASON, it is ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL for us to KEEP GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER!! At the end of this week, we will be having both a 24 hour vigil, and a Children's March that will end in Silver's district. WE MUST SHOW UP IN DROVES to convince Silver that WE NEED THIS BILL OF RIGHTS, not next year, not next week, not even tomorrow, but RIGHT NOW!

This is really it folks! So please, do whatever you can, whatever you have to do, to come out and support domestic workers win the rights they have long deserved. Check out the events at right, and let us know what you can commit to!

As always, with much love and respect from everyone at DWU!!

TOMORROW'S FORECAST: DWU Storm in Albany!

"To all of our people in the struggle: let's unite!" - Bill of Rights Calypso

Tomorrow, Domestic Workers United will be bringing 100 domestic workers and allies back to Albany to spend the WHOLE DAY letting the legislators know just how important this Bill of Rights really is for the 200,000 domestic workers working in the greater New York metropolitan area. And we HOPE that you and your friends and family will be there with us!

From 9am to 4pm, on this last day in Albany fighting for the Bill of Rights, DWU and its supporters will chant, perform, meet with legislators, march and rally to pass the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights!!

As we prepare for our trip tomorrow, we take with us the voices of thousands of domestic workers who have suffered at the hands of abusive employers, each of whom is another reason why we need this Bill of Rights. Take Marina for example. For two and a half years, Marina "slept in the basement, where the sewage often overflowed" and "had to pick up wood in addition to cardboard in order to pass through and also to open the backdoor so [she] could
step outside to the sun and for the stench to leave." After more than two years, Marina's employer fired her with no notice and no severance pay. Marina was not only unemployed now, she was also homeless.

This is just one example of the abuse seen in the industry on a daily basis. Under current law, domestic workers can be fired without notice, which can leave them with no place to go and no safety net. The DOMESTIC WORKER BILL OF RIGHTS will provide a RIGHT TO NOTICE AND SEVERANCE PAY, so that women like Marina are not left with nothing from one day to the next.

So tomorrow, for Marina, and for the hundreds of thousands of domestic workers, we will strain our voices, stretch out our arms, and demand that this Bill of Rights be passed by the end of this legislative session. And we are so thankful that you will be with us at this critical moment in history.

SEE YOU in front of the Barnes and Noble on the North side of Union Square! 6:30am buses leave, 7pm buses return! See events, right, for details!

HARLEM DINNER HUGE SUCCESS!

Last night, in the politically fertile ground of Harlem, 100 domestic workers and over 100 supporters gathered at St. Philips Episcopal Church to celebrate and honor generations of women of color working as domestic workers who have fought tirelessly for justice while caring for not one but two families, and often times many more. The evening was a huge success, and spirits soared. There is a definite sense that Bill or no Bill, this movement for domestic workers rights is only just getting started!

Rev. Sekou kicked us off with some inspired words of prayer, harking back to the generations of domestic workers who have struggled for their rights. DWU leader Angelica Hernandez then took us back to the initiation of the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights Campaign, which, if you don't know already, is SO CLOSE victory that everyone in the room can finally begin to taste it.

Our own Barbara Young and Erica Gonzalez from El Diario co-emceed the evening that included speakers from Community Voices Heard and Picture the Homeless who gave touching accounts of family members and friends who were or are domestic workers, deploring the abusive treatment that they faced on a daily basis.

We were also honored and excited to be joined by special guest speakers Councilman Eric Joia, Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Federico, and most of all by our main Bill Sponsor, Senator Keith Wright of Harlem, whose support for this Bill has been unyielding since the beginning. The audience's energy swelled as each of these elected officials took the stage, making clear how important it is for constituents to feel not only like they have a voice, but that they are being heard, and that their elected officials represent their interests.

DWU Steering Committee member Lois Newland felt that it was "truly moving to see Assemblyman Keith Wright speaking from his own church to his own constituents about the history of the neighborhood and his church in the fight for civil rights, associating himself with his constituents and really showing his support for the Bill of Rights and expressing his admiration for our movement."

And of course, the evening would not have been complete without the musical stylings of the DWU Choir, and the moving participation of our crowd of 200 domestic workers and supporters! With steel pans, bells, hammers, singing and clapping, we raised the roof right off of that church to let the city know that domestic workers are still in this fight to win respect, recognition, and fair labor standards.

We ended the evening honoring all the domestic workers in the room with a rose, to celebrate their dedication to their families, the families of their employers, and to the movement for domestic worker rights. As our wonderful guests left the event, they each signed a Banner in support of the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, which will be delivered to Governor Paterson who unfortunately was not able to join us.

Overall, the evening demonstrated the tremendous support that there is out there for domestic workers, particularly in Harlem, which gave us a welcome to be remembered. So THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who came out in support! Special shout outs will be going out shortly.

But as usual, this fight ain't over yet!! We look forward to seeing all of your beautiful, energetic faces on MONDAY IN ALBANY for a last resounding push with the legislators. If you can't make that, we'll see you back in NYC on the steps of city hall on for a 24 hour vigil from 8am Friday to 8am Saturday - come whenever you can for as long as you can in solidarity with all domestic workers! Last but not least, we hope to see every single one of you in the streets on Sunday June 15th for a Children's March and Rally for Domestic Workers.

WE WON'T STOP NOW!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CO-SPONSORSHIP COUNT:
Assembly: 70
Senate: 26

LAST STRETCH TOWARDS MAKING HISTORY!

FRIENDS, COMRADES, ALLIES, VOLUNTEERS, DOMESTIC WORKERS, EMPLOYERS and SUPPORTERS OF ALL KINDS - The moment we've all been waiting for is just days away!

We all know the facts:
- Every day in New York, over 200,000 mostly women of color go to work as nannies, housekeepers, and elderly caregivers - the work that makes all other work possible.
- Domestic workers work long hours for low wages and face the worst kinds of exploitation and abuse.
- With no leverage, they risk losing their jobs for asking for a sick day, or a day off to see the doctor.
- Despite caring for the most important elements of their employers lives, they are vulnerable, isolated and EXCLUDED from almost every major labor law.

So let's MAKE HISTORY and put NEW YORK STATE on the map as the FIRST STATE to pass a COMPREHENSIVE Bill of Rights that PROTECTS DOMESTIC WORKERS!

Over the past few years you all have in some way or another heard about the campaign to establish a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in New York State. Some of you have been very involved over the years, others of you have supported from a distance. Thanks to your support, we have made ENORMOUS PROGRESS, with 23 Senate co-sponsors and 70 Assembly co-sponsors, we have officially changed the climate in Albany for domestic workers rights. Friends, we are literally THIS CLOSE to passing the Bill of Rights, but the FIGHT ISN'T OVER YET!

Now there are only TWO WEEKS left in the legislative session. Two weeks to convince every last assemblymember and senator that domestic workers deserve labor rights. Two weeks to demand that the state protect the women who make our economy run, who enable everyone else to go to work, who take care of the people and things we value most. Two weeks to make enough noise so that not a single New Yorker can claim that s/he hasn't heard of the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights. Two weeks to bring every last friend, family member, co-worker and acquaintance, and every last bit of energy and support that we have into the streets and straight to the ears of the politicans to let them know that now more than ever, WE WANT THIS BILL OF RIGHTS and we want it RIGHT NOW!

Friends, we need you now. Whether you have come out to each of our events, or whether this is your first time, we ask you to please come out and dedicate 200% to domestic workers for these two last historic weeks. We cannot do it without you.

1) Forward this email to at least 10 of your contacts who may support this effort and with a note to personally encourage them to attend one or more of the events listed at the bottom of this email.

2) Commit yourself to attending at least one of these events listed below, and send us an email to let us know which of these important events you can attend so we can get a sense of numbers.

3) Encourage unions or organizations you are involved with to send contingents to one or more of the events listed below, and send us an email so that we can publicize your organizations involvement.

4) Make a donation to support this last stretch of organizing -- permits, food, transportation all require resources. Make your donations payable to "CAAAV," with "DWU" in the memo line, and send it to Domestic Workers United - 1201 Broadway Suite 907-908 New York, NY 10001.

5) Call your local State Assembly and State Senate representatives and urge them to vote YES! on the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.

6) Volunteer with DWU! If you or anyone you know has a few hours to spare, we need volunteers! Send an email to aijendwu@gmail.com.

When we win, it will open doors and be a victory for all women, workers, and people who have fought for dignity and respect. Please help us see it through.


WE CAN'T STOP NOW! MARCH TO THE END, WE CAN DO IT.
With less than 4 weeks left in the legislative session, every moment counts.
Please save the following dates in your calendars for respect and recognition.
Which events can you attend? How many friends can you bring?


Thursday June 4 - HARLEM COMMUNITY DINNER HONORING THE LEGACY OF DOMESTIC WORKERS
Join domestic workers, faith leaders, legislators and the Harlem community for a dinner to recognize and honor the many women in our families who have done domestic work and supported New York communities through the generations. Bring photos, stories and memories of the domestic workers in your family tree.
7:00pm - 9:00 pm
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
St. Philips Episcopal Church, Harlem, NY
204 W. 134th St. @ 7th Ave. - Take the B Train to 135th Street.
RSVP - priscilla@domesticworkersu

nited.org or (212) 481-5747

Monday, June 8 - 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
Buses Leaving 6:30 am from Union Square Barnes and Nobles - North side of the park
Returning by 8:00 pm the same day
Take the N/R/4/5/6/L to Union Square
RSVP - aijendwu@gmail.com, or (212) 481-5747

Friday-Saturday, June 12 - 13 - 24-HOUR VIGIL FOR THE DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS
Many domestic workers, particularly live-in workers, work around the clock without rest. We're asking all New Yorkers who support domestic workers rights, to stand together for 24 hours straight in a symbolic show of support for the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights - so that domestic workers can receive overtime, job security, basic respect and recognition.
8:00 am - 8:00 am
City Hall - across from 250 Broadway
Take the N/R to City Hall, or the 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge
RSVP, and sign up for a shift, aijendwu@gmail.com, or (212) 481-5747

Sunday, June 14 - NY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MARCH for DOMESTIC WORKERS RIGHTS
Bring your entire family, community and congregations 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. With children leading the march, many generations will march together with one common message and theme. Let's 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.
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
City Hall - across from 250 Broadway
Take the N/R to City Hall, or the 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge
RSVP, particularly with groups to joycedwu@gmail.com or (212) 481-5747

Monday, June 15 - 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 appearances by: Jennifer Baumgardner, activist and author; the Guerilla Girls, artists and activists; maria Hinojosa ‘84, Senior Correspondent of NOW on PBS and NPR’s Latino USA anchor; Katha Pollitt, author and The Nation columnist; amy richards ‘92, activist and author;
Gloria Steinem, activist and Ms. Magazine co-founder; and Jessica Valenti, Feministing.com founder.
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Julius Held Auditorium
304 Barnard Hall, Barnard College - Barnard Center for Research on Women
3009 Broadway
New York, NY 10027