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