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
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
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