Domestic Workers United

White House and Department of Labor Call for Fair Labor Standards for Home Care Workers

2011-12-15T19:28:00.010-05:00

Today is an historic day, because all of the organizing among workers and allies to bring dignity and respect to care work has paid off. The White House and the Department of Labor have announced proposed rules to extend overtime pay and minimum wage protections to home care workers. Long excluded from the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1974, home care workers may finally get the rights that they deserve for the important work they do. The Department of Labor will now be taking comments on the proposed regulatory changes for 60 days. Individuals and families who will benefit from these changes must come forward and tell their stories. We call on all domestic workers, consumers, and anyone who has a loved one who needs in home care to join us in urging the Department of Labor to narrow the companionship exemption.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the proposed rules.

CLICK HERE to take action through the Caring Across Generations campaign, led by the National Domestic Workers Alliance and partners.

WATCH a moving tribute to Evelyn Coke, a home care worker who took her case all the way to the Supreme Court.

And the Award Goes to...Today's Help!

2011-12-15T17:33:00.007-05:00

DWU Member Meches Rosales celebrates the nominations of Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer for their starring roles in the film The Help.

Today, I join thousands of domestic workers, children and parents in congratulating actresses Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer for their Golden Globe and SAG nominations. I hope these talented women understand the powerful impact their creative work is having on domestic workers across the nation and the families who employ us.

I am a proud domestic worker, originally from Guatemala. In my seven years as a nanny, and even before then in my home country, I have witnessed and experienced for myself the harsh treatment and exploitation that domestic workers often endure. We are isolated, mostly working by ourselves behind closed doors. We are the invisible ones who make it possible for our employers to go to work and enjoy leisure time. We care for the most important elements of our employers’ lives.

To read more, CLICK HERE and visit the Ms. Foundation Igniting Change Blog.

TAKE ACTION today for domestic workers:

LIKE the #BeTheHelp campaign page on Facebook.

CLICK HERE and check out videos of our members' stories.

Share your own story at #helpstories.

Tweet #iPledge to #BeTheHelp needed to create respect, recognition, and protection for @DomesticWorkers. Join me? http://domesticworkers.org/#bethehelp

Help us drive a national conversation about the film and the issues that it raises about the value of care work and the legacy of domestic workers' struggles. Together we can create respect and ensure protections for domestic workers across the nation, especially our right right to work in a safe and dignified workplace.

Up with the 99%

2011-12-15T17:30:00.004-05:00

Leah Obias of the Damayan Migrant Workers Association leads convention participants in an inspiring energizer. "Up with the 99%! Down with the 1%!" Stretching our bodies, minds and spirits, we got the fuel we needed to nourish and grow our movement for dignity and respect.

Building Power in the 21st Century

2011-12-15T17:04:00.011-05:00

Joining 200 domestic workers were long-time allies in the struggle for justice, Ed Ott of CUNY Murphy Institute and formerly with the NY Central Labor Council, Jodeen Olguin-Tyler of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Nellini Stamp of the Working Families Party and Occupy Wall Street, and Dorian Warren of Columbia University. They joined us on a panel to discuss the opportunities we have before us to really build power for domestic workers and all people. From the victory of the nation's first Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to the uprisings at Zuccotti Park and around the world, the possibility for change is more palpable than ever before. The leadership of domestic workers - primarily immigrant women of color - is a critical part of building an economy and a society that value people over profits and that recognize our interdependence.

On Saturday, December 3, 2011, domestic workers gathered to take another step in the struggle for justice - to build up our networks, drawing on the dispersed nature of our industry as a source of strength. Workers who attended the convention assembled at tables according to the neighborhoods where they worked, to discuss the impact of the Bill of Rights, the reality of today's working conditions after the introduction and passage of our legislation, and to innovate ways to raise industry standards.

Signing up for job training programs, political education courses, organizing skills building trainings, and to run local meetings throughout the city, more workers are joining the ranks for dignity and respect for all. It's a new day, there's a new standard.

Over 200 Domestic Workers Unite for Change

2011-12-03T15:53:00.005-05:00

Nanny and Domestic Workers United organizer, Allison Julien, coordinates behind the scenes at A New Day, A New Standard / Domestic Workers Convention. Today, over 100 domestic workers from around the northeast gathered in New York City to plan their 2012 agenda and the next phase of the domestic worker justice movement.

Says Allison, "For the first time in seven years, after the first convention in NYC, it is exciting to be in a room with so many domestic workers planning for the new phase of this industry. In 2012, I want to see more domestic workers involved in DWU. The more workers who join this organization, the more we build a stronger movement for all excluded workers!"

Nanny describes penniless Christmas due to unpaid wages at Domestic Workers Convention

2011-12-03T14:48:00.006-05:00

Deyanira Barrow describes immigrating to the US in 1988, "I came very young with many dreams, wanting to know new cultures...a new world." A few weeks after being placed in live-in nanny position in Los Angeles, her employer stopped paying her wages claiming bankruptcy. Leaving empty handed, she ended up in the hospital for a stress related condition. She spent "a Christmas without a penny in my purse, with only the care of my friends."

A New Day, A New Standard/ New York Domestic Workers Convention

2011-12-03T13:06:00.009-05:00

Members of Las Mujeres de Santa Maria from Staten Island strategize at the Domestic Worker Convention earlier today as daughter helps her mom sign the JOIN THE MOVEMENT PLEDGE for National Domestic Workers Alliance (image below).

Domestic Workers and the Occupy Movement

2011-11-29T00:54:00.005-05:00

Domestic workers are part of the 99%. We know all too well the disparities and economic injustices caused by Wall Street’s greed and exploitation. We work in the homes of Wall Street bankers and America’s 1%, taking care of their families and most prized possessions. As our communities are rising up through the Occupy/De-Colonize movement demanding justice and direct democracy, we are standing hand-in-hand with everyone across the country and around the world during this important time of resistance. We have an opportunity to build a new economy, one that values people over profit and functions on the principle that our well-being is interconnected. Dignity and respect for all. CLICK HERE to check out the statement by local NY affiliates of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

DWU Expands Partnerships and Builds on Bill of Rights Victory with Caring Across Generations National Campaign Launch

2011-11-28T10:55:00.010-05:00

As we neared the finish line of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights campaign in NY, we knew as a national movement that our journey was just beginning. The struggle would need to continue to truly transform the industry in which over 2.5 million domestic workers labor everyday across the country. A bold vision would be needed to lift up the value of care in our society: a vision that would engage greater numbers of people, rooted in an understanding that we all have a stake. We are all facing similar changes, as more and more families struggle with providing long-term quality care for loved ones, and as more and more workers are pulled in to provide that vital care.

On July 12, 2012, a delegation of 20 DWU members traveled to the nation’s capital for the historic launch of the Caring Across Generations campaign, led by the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Jobs with Justice and many other partners. CAG offers a comprehensive solution for jobs creation, training, pathway to citizenship, fair labor standards, support for individual families to afford quality care, and an opportunity to build a movement that can uplift the soul of this nation. DWU leader Marlene Champion shared her powerful story at the first Care Congress, about her experience working as an elder caregiver and how important she knows her job to be. While in DC, DWU members also rallied beside hundreds of senior groups, disability rights groups, and various community organizations before the Senate to protect Medicaid and to demand a principled approach to the national deficit. DWU is playing an important role in the local organizing in NY to bring home this national campaign through the launch of a Care Council in partnership with ALIGN and Jewish Funds for Justice & Progressive Jewish Alliance. Read more about the Caring Across Generations campaign and Marlene’s story at http://www.caringacrossgenerations.org.

DWU Organizes NY Domestic Worker Convention: One Year after the Bill of Rights

2011-11-28T10:53:00.004-05:00

On December 3^rd, DWU is hosting the 2^nd NYC Domestic Workers Convention. The convention will gather hundreds of domestic workers one year after the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to set next steps in our struggle for respect and recognition. Domestic workers will come together to network, discuss the impact of the Bill of Rights and current political and economic climate, share stories and testimony about the current work conditions on the ground, and join forces to build innovative strategies for expanding the rights and protections granted to domestic workers. The convention will also provide Know Your Rights education, training on negotiating with employers, and access to free legal support and consultation from our various partners. Former NY Governor David Paterson who signed the Bill of Rights into law in 2010 will deliver the keynote speech, pledging his ongoing support for organizing among domestic workers.

DWU Launches Domestic Worker Legal Clinic with the Urban Justice Center

2011-11-28T10:51:00.004-05:00

In partnership with the Urban Justice Center, DWU launched a legal clinic to expand our capacity to win justice for domestic workers whose rights, including those enshrined in provisions of the newly-enacted Bill of Rights, have been violated. To date, we have supported over 60 workers to either file claims with the NY Department of Labor or negotiate directly with employers to recuperate back-wages. The legal clinic has allowed us greater capacity to support more workers to bring forward claims that help us ensure that the DoL can effectively enforce the law. Finally, the legal clinic is serving as a way for us to continue to document the ongoing vulnerabilities workers face.

DWU & JFREJ Launch the Domestic Justice Dialogue Project

2011-11-28T10:44:00.003-05:00

Our partnership with Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) has been one of the most hopeful and transformative strategies in our work for domestic worker justice. Currently, we are embarking on a new joint venture called the Domestic Justice Dialogue Project. The project brings together employers and domestic workers to dialogue about their respective experiences in the industry, build relationships and trust across differences, and work together to strengthen the movement for respect, dignity, and fair labor standards. The project has already launched conversations in at least two congregations in Brooklyn, and begun work on a community banner project with Groundswell Community Mural Project that will display information about the NY Domestic Workers Bill of Rights and lift up the value of care work in and around Park Slope, Brooklyn.

DWU Implements a Multi-Media Know Your Rights Campaign

2011-11-28T10:43:00.004-05:00

In January, we launched a Know Your Rights campaign to educate domestic workers about their rights under the newly passed Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. In addition to doing Know Your Rights outreach and education in the parks and on the streets of NYC, DWU has launched a new multi-media Know Your Rights website. The website features extensive resources for domestic workers as well as employers, with thanks to the National Employment Law Project and the Urban Justice Center. DWU also partnered with People’s Production House to develop an interactive Frequently Asked Questions component to the website. Through audio clips and comic book style illustrations, the program outlines answers to some of domestic workers’ most common concerns. The audio clips were recorded by DWU members in English and in Spanish and are also accessible through a telephone hotline. The recordings are designed to sound like a call-in talk show to provide a fun and engaging way of disseminating information that will be invaluable toward standard setting in the domestic work industry. You can check out the new Domestic Workers Bill of Rights website at http://www.knowyourrightsny.org.

DWU Launches Mass Organizing Campaign with Innovative Ambassador Program

2011-11-28T10:34:00.006-05:00

Since the passage of the NY State Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, DWU has been hard at work to expand our capacity to organize more workers and build greater power. This spring, we launched our Ambassadors Program – an innovative strategy to organize workers on their “shop floor”, in the neighborhoods where they live and work. The Ambassadors serve as the primary contacts for domestic workers in their respective neighborhoods, and are equipped to provide them with information, report abuses, and lay the groundwork for collective standard setting with area employers. During the pilot period, DWU successfully trained over 20 DWU member leaders as Ambassadors who have since been based in four key areas of NYC: Tribeca, Upper West Side, and the Upper East Side in Manhattan as well as Park Slope, Brooklyn. Ambassadors are actively organizing domestic workers in these neighborhoods by providing a consistent presence and conducting frequent Know Your Rights outreach. To date, our membership increased by 1,500, bringing us to 6,500 strong. We will be expanding the program over the next year to provide for domestic workers what shop stewards have historically done for trade union members. For more information about DWU’s Ambassador program. CLICK HERE to watch a short video made for the International Labor Organization's proceedings in June 2011 before adopting the first-ever Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, setting global standards for the domestic work industry around the world.

We need Interpreters & Equipment for Domestic Workers NY Convention

2011-11-15T14:51:00.010-05:00

Seeking Experienced Volunteer Interpreters

We are checking in with you if you know folks who have experience doing simultaneous interpreting e.g. familiarity with equipment and have an understanding of supporting multilingual space. We are seeking 25 onsite volunteer interpreters and mostly Spanish and English for the weekend of December 2-December 5th, 2011 for Domestic Workers United. We plan to bring together approximately 300 domestic workers to the following 2 events: “A New Day, A New Standard/ New York Domestic Workers Convention” and "Domestic Workers United General Membership Assembly”. For more information about these events and our organization please visit our website, http://domesticworkersunited.org/shownews/98.

We are requesting that all volunteer interpreters attend an orientation on Tuesday November 29th from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

To volunteer please contact Sam Schoer at sam@domesticworkersunited.org or at 212-481-5747

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Borrowing Equipment
We are looking to borrow interpreting equipment from ally organization. We need a total of 300 sets so please let me know if we can borrow all or a portion of your equipment for the weekend of December 2-December 5th, 2011 for Domestic Workers United. We plan to bring together approximately 300 domestic workers to the following 2 events: “A New Day, A New Standard/ New York Domestic Workers Convention” and "Domestic Workers United General Membership Assembly”. For more information about these events and our organization please visit our website, http://domesticworkersunited.org/shownews/98.

We will pick up and drop off equipment in a timely manner. If your equipment is not available and you know of other groups who have equipment please send me their information or forward our request. Please contact me if you have any questions at tplservices@yahoo.com or at 917-325-4696.

2011-11-15T14:48:00.001-05:00

A New Day, A New Standard

Open to ALL domestic workers

Join hundreds of nannies, housekeepers & elderly caregivers to build our power for greater rights & respect!

December 3, 2011

9am-6pm

New York Academy of Medicine - 2nd Floor Hall

Corner of 103rd Street and 5th Avenue (Manhattan)

Convention Highlights:

Free legal consultations (on employment, immigration, taxes)

Workers' Rights Workshops

Negotiation Tools & Techniques

Guest Speakers

Door Prizes

Then, on Sunday

DWU MEMBERSHIP ASSEMBLY

December 4, 2011

10am-4pm

DWU members gather to celebrate our 2011 achievements and decide on important organizational matters for 2012 beyond.

DOMESTIC WORKERS WIN RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS WORLDWIDE!

2011-06-16T14:01:00.002-04:00

Domestic workers' movement to build power, gain respect, and establish fair labor standards is gaining momentum in the US and across the world. In New York, we have won the nation's first Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. We are working with the Department of Labor and our Ambassadors are located throughout the city making sure that workers and employers know about the new law, have the tools you need to exercise your rights, and become a larger, stronger, united workforce to improve our working conditions. Our victory in New York helped to inspire domestic workers in CA, and they are now pushing a Bill of Rights in the state legislature. Last month, the CA bill passed the Assembly with a 41-19 vote and it's on its way to the Senate!

As part of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, we have also been advocating for an international law to recognize and protect domestic workers. After more than a year of organizing with domestic worker groups and unions around the world, we have won the Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers! It is the world's first set of standards for domestic work industry that workers, employers, and governments negotiated and voted to pass at the International Labor Organization, which is the United Nations agency that sets global labor standards. Domestic workers in every country can now use these international standards to push for laws in their home countries. DWU Member Brontie Scott says, “It is very exciting that we are finally moving forward. I just hope that this is going to really lead to worldwide protection for domestic workers. For too long domestic workers have been exploited and excluded. And, for too long we’ve been taken advantage of.”

Though the adoption of these articles represents a giant step forward in our struggle to win respect, recognition, and rights for the work that we do, the journey is long from over. As DWU Member Angelica Hernandez says, "It's important for us to be seen and recognized. Before, we were invisible. Now, the whole world is talking about us. We are on the right path and must keep going." It will be up to all of us to work hard to ensure that the United States adopts these new hard-won standards. A worker from the Guatemalan domestic workers union, who was present for the ILO vote, said, "We have broken the silence. We have yet to break our chains." As domestic workers celebrate this historic milestone, we take our place in a growing global effort to transform the world of work and bring dignity to the work that makes all other work possible.

DWU at the White House!

2011-03-31T10:56:00.001-04:00

On March 28, 2011, Allison Julien, a nanny who has been an active member of Domestic Workers United for nine years, spoke on a panel at the White House celebrating Women's History Month and commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. During the discussion, facilitated by Secretary of Labor, HIlda Solis, and Senior Advisor to the President, Valerie Jarrett, Allison was one of four women who shared their stories of organizing labor in their workplaces. She spoke about the role of women in labor organization, the monumental passing of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, and the future of collective bargaining for new labor laws in the United States.

Speaking on behalf of the 2.5 million domestic workers in this country, Allison said, "We're not trying to get rich doing this job. All we're asking for is basic labor protections. We're human beings and we want to be treated like human beings. We want to be recognized like real workers. we want to be protected like real workers. The work we do matters. . . . We're opening the doors, pulling back the shutters and showing you the faces behind the work. We're showing you that we're the ones who make all other work possible."

During her participation in the panel, Allison Julien addressed the American public with a message of hope and a call to action. She acknowledged that domestic work has a history of secrecy and undervaluation, noting, "We work in the shadows of slavery. If we do not tell our stories, nobody will tell our stories." And, listing the triumphs of Domestic Workers United as well as the parallel efforts to win rights for domestic workers that are currently taking place across the country, Allison left her audience with the empowering and uniting message: "We've got a whole lot of states in this country that we've got to conquer, and we've got labor laws to change!"

Get your 'Know Your Rights' Guide Today!

2011-02-10T13:20:00.004-05:00

Come Get a ‘Know Your Rights’ Guide!

We have tons of Rights Begin at Home: Protecting Yourself as a Domestic Worker booklets for domestic workers! Come get your copy!

The guide includes info on
-domestic workers’ rights
-immigration issues related to your job
-tips for finding work
-how to negotiate with your boss
-and templates of contracts, demand letters, work hour logs, and more!

Come by the office to pick up yours today!! Don't know where to find us?
Call at 212-481-4757

Christine Lewis on the Colbert Report!

2011-02-10T12:04:00.005-05:00

The Colbert Report

Share some love for Christine and DWU in the comments section!
Let’s keep on building the movement!

Tweet DWU!

2011-01-18T12:15:00.006-05:00

New for 2011!
Now you can tweet your favorite DWU blog posts! Just click the link below!

2010: A Historic Year!

2010-12-23T13:30:00.005-05:00

2010 was a historic year for domestic workers, women, people of color, immigrants, low wage workers, and labor rights! With the signing of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights on August 31, 2010 and its implementation on November 29, 2010, over six years of hard-fought struggle in the New York State legislature finally won rights, respect, and recognition for domestic workers! Lets take a look at some of our 2010 highlights:

This year…

More than 1,000 allies turned out in New York City and Albany in support of dignity for domestic workers!

DWU conducted and published an independent study entitled “Domestic Workers and Collective Bargaining”. We surveyed over 500 workers for the report. The Department of Labor integrated our findings into their report, concluding that collective bargaining is feasible for domestic workers, making it the crucial next step in building power.

DWU and the Urban Justice Center launched a legal clinic, to swiftly address and win justice for cases of abuse and exploitation.

Worker-leaders led a leadership training program and a nanny training course.

DWU supported California sister organizations in launching the CA Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Campaign.

We held our 10^th Anniversary Gala at SEIU 32BJ, drawing over 400 attendees, including our Keynote Speaker Arlene Holt Speaker, Executive Vice President of the AFL-CIO.

DWU members made nearly 2,000 new domestic worker contacts to continue building a strong base for dignity and justice.

In partnership with the National Employment Law Project, DWU published a “Know Your Rights” guide for workers.

And, there is more to come, in 2011…

DWU will launch a massive “Know Your Rights” public education campaign, to ensure that all domestic workers know their rights, and employers their responsibilities.

DWU and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice will start the “Domestic Justice Dialogue Project”, and begin piloting collective bargaining on a neighborhood scale.

The DWU Ambassadors Program will launch, making trained domestic worker representatives available as first points of contact in key neighborhoods throughout the city. They will form neighborhood groups and conduct “Know Your Rights” trainings.

DWU in partnership with the Urban Justice Center will continue to fight for justice for individual workers whose rights have been violated, and will work with the Department of Labor to ensure these cases are swiftly addressed.

We will continue to help build the National Domestic Workers Alliance and support domestic worker organizations in California & Massachusetts, which are poised to introduce their own Bill of Rights legislation.

DWU will continue the struggle for fair labor standards, and inclusion in labor laws, both in Albany and through innovative collective bargaining models.

Thank you to all of our friends and supporters who rallied to bring justice, dignity, respect, and recognition!

Let's keep making greater change in 2011!

November 29, 2010: A New Day for Domestic Workers!

2010-11-29T16:36:00.008-05:00

Today, over 200,000 privately employed nannies, housekeepers, and elder caregivers in New York have gone to work so that our employers could go to theirs, just as we and those who came before us have done for centuries. We’ve dedicated our hearts and health to providing essential care for countless families and homes. Yet for so many years, we labored in the shadows, vulnerable to all forms of abuse and exploitation. But today is not like any other day. November 29, 2010 is a new day. It marks the end of invisibility and exclusion for all domestic workers, as the nation’s first Domestic Workers Bill of Rights goes into effect.

The new law is justice for over 75 years of race- and gender-based discrimination. The tide is turning. After six years of organizing to pass legislation that would begin to value the critical work we do, we finally won recognition! For the first time, we are guaranteed basic rights and protections that most other workers have enjoyed for decades. As of today, we have the right to be protected against discrimination and harassment, a minimum of one day of rest per week, and those of us who are live-in have the right to overtime pay at time and a half our regular rate of pay. We also have a mandatory minimum of at least three paid days leave per year. Companions for the sick and elderly are now also covered under the Minimum Wage Act of New York.

The work of defending our dignity and respect has just begun – we have achieved minimum labor protections, and now we must work to make the Bill of Rights work for us! In partnership with the NY Department of Labor and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, we are launching a mass outreach campaign to educate workers and employers alike so that we understand our rights and responsibilities, respectively.

The struggle is, of course, not over. We must also now build upon this victory and keep organizing to secure fair not just minimum standards in the industry. Together with the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Urban Justice Center, we recently conducted a survey of over 500 workers to assess what it takes to achieve a level of security on the job for domestic workers. The results show that there is still high variation in the benefits received and in worker experiences negotiating with their employers. We found out that many workers earn less while working longer hours and therefore find it hard to meet their basic needs. Benefits like sick days, paid vacation, and personal days vary from worker to worker, and many workers report not receiving notice or severance pay when their jobs have ended. The precarious nature of this industry makes it difficult for workers to negotiate better terms and conditions. When a worker’s concern is keeping her job, it’s not easy for her to assert her rights or to bargain with her employer. To get these benefits for all workers, we need to negotiate collectively for better standards – united we are stronger! That's why we are working around the clock with our coalition partners to win inclusion of domestic workers in the New York State Labor Relations Act, which would give us the right to bargain collectively for benefits and fair standards at work.

The answers, as we know, are not just to be found in Albany. Starting in the new year, we will also have DWU representatives—fellow workers who have been trained on the new law and negotiations—available in key neighborhoods throughout the city. They will be first responders, making sure workers have the resources they need, when they need them, to defend and uphold their rights. These representatives will hold regular meetings, so that workers in the neighborhood can share information and learn more about their rights, and about working towards better standards in the industry.

A new era begins. Domestic workers in New York are setting bold precedents. Sister organizations in California are preparing to launch a Bill of Rights campaign in the Spring of 2011, and Massachusetts is poised to follow. Also, in June 2011, the International Labor Organization will be passing a convention on the rights of domestic workers, for which the NY Bill of Rights campaign and legislation have been held up as examples.

Now is the time to build real power for all workers everywhere. In our work lies the key to deep social transformation. We can help lead the way for the working people of this country to collectively reach our human potential and realize our hopes and dreams for a better future for everyone.

DWU is Honored!

2010-11-23T11:21:00.006-05:00

We here at DWU are thankful for the many honors we have received recently from friends and allies. The interconnectedness and support of the social justice community is what allows for all of us to continue building a movement for justice for all.

Families for Freedom Honors Domestic Workers United for Outstanding Leadership and a Commitment to Immigrant Rights.

El Centro de Derechos Laborales Honors Domestic Workers United for your pioneering and historic achievement and being an inspiration in the fight for the recognition, respect, dignity and justice for all domestic workers.

Nassau County Office of Education: "The members of the Domestic Workers United have contributed to the success and prosperity of all segments of our citizenry, and over the years, they have demonstrated a selfless commitment to the community that warrants attention and gratitude....the County of Nassau is proud to extend this commendation to you, as you are honored by the Workplace Project for your outstanding contributions and tremendous dedication and spirit."

In addition, we very recently received an honor from the Working Families Party for 2010 Organizing Victory of the Year and the 2010 Bridge Builder Award from NY and LI Civic Participation Project.

We are honored and thankful for these momentous awards!

In solidarity,

DWU

DWU 10th Anniversary Gala a HUGE success!!!

2010-11-17T13:13:00.006-05:00

DWU's 10th Anniversary Gala last Saturday was nothing short of a huge success. With about 400 people in attendance, the room was overflowing with support, love and hope for the future of the movement.
Wonderful music, delicious food and amazing words from Arlene Holt-Baker of AFL-CIO, Jeribu Hill of Mississippi Workers' Center and our honorees were some of the highlights of the night.
We want to thank everyone who attended, donated, volunteered and had fun! Without you, none of this would be possible. DWU felt so loved and supported. Thank you for celebrating ten years of building a movement for dignity, respect and recognition for the work that makes all other work possible. The struggle continues!

RSVP RSVP RSVP!!!

2010-11-03T10:42:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone!!

We are all SO excited for the gala, which is less than two weeks away! With our emcee and keynote speaker booked and RSVPs flying in, we really can't wait for this important and memorable event on Saturday, November 13th. Ten years is a huge milestone for DWU, and is made even more significant by the signing of the Bill of Rights and the first ever Domestic Workers Rights Day on November 29th. We know you don't want to miss the gala, so please RSVP as soon as you can.

Go to this link on Facebook for all the details of the gala. You can buy your tickets online as well!

Events, events, events!!

2010-10-20T10:49:00.008-04:00

Dear DWU members, friends, supporters and allies,

The next two months are jam-packed with important and exciting events with DWU! Below is our calendar, please join us as we continue to demand justice and greater protections for domestic workers, and as we celebrate the past 10 years fighting for rights, recognition, and respect.

Basebuilding Committee Meeting

Thursday, Oct. 28, 7pm - 9pm

DWU Office, 1201 Broadway, between 28th and 29th St., Suite 907

Board of Directors Elections

Saturday, Oct. 30th, 3pm

DWU Office, 1201 Broadway, between 28th and 29th St., Suite 907

*You will be contacted if you are eligible to vote in the elections*

Campaign Committee Meeting

Thursday, Nov. 4th, 7-9:15pm

DWU Office, 1201 Broadway, between 28th & 29th St., Suite 907

Justice for Pat Rally

Saturday, Nov. 6th, 11am - Noon

Meet at the corner of West 57th Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan.

Trains N/Q/R/W to 57th Street

*Rally with domestic workers and allies to demand justice for Pat, a DWU member who was physically assaulted by her employer*

DWU 10th Anniversary Gala: "Domestic Workers Rising: Building a Lasting Movement for Change"

Saturday, Nov. 13th, 6pm-11pm

SEIU Local 32 BJ

101 Avenue of the Americas, 1st Fl

*Tickets $20 for members, $30-$60 for non-members. Call our office to reserve your seats, or go online to https://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5774/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=24241 to reserve your seats! You can also email Khionna at kdoug.dwu@gmail.com for more information*

General Membership Meeting

Saturday, Nov. 20th, 4-6:30pm

85 South Oxford Street, between Fulton & Lafayette, Brooklyn

Domestic Workers Rights Day

Monday, Nov. 29th

Location TBA

*This is the day the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights officially goes into effect! Join us on this day to let workers and employers everywhere know that a new day has dawned, and our rights must be respected!*

Domestic Workers Convention: A New Day - A New Standard

Saturday and Sunday, December 4th & 5th

Location TBA

*We have won recognition under the law! Now let's set higher standards for the domestic work industry in New York and beyond. Let's arm ourselves with the information we need to assert our full rights at work! More information on the program forthcoming.*

Youtopia Grant for DWU

2010-10-19T12:50:00.001-04:00

DWU has been entered in a contest for a Youtopia Grant. This grant will help provide us with resources needed for a massive and innovative Know Your Rights Campaign. Click the link below and VOTE for DWU!!!

Youtopia Grant Contest

Justice for Domestic Workers on an International Scale

2010-10-12T11:30:00.009-04:00

The movement for domestic workers is not limited to New York, or even to the United States. There is an international struggle that is rapidly growing. The National Domestic Worker’s Alliance is taking part in an international movement for justice which came to fruition in November 2006 at an international conference on 'Respect and Rights: Protection for domestic workers!' in Amsterdam, Netherlands. According to the ILO website, “In June 2010, the International Labour Conference at Geneva adopted a resolution calling for the drafting of an international convention and supplementary recommendation to extend labour standards and social protection to the world's domestic workers. The International Labour Office in Asia and the Pacific has been working with our constituents and civil society in anticipation of such a decision and is now preparing for the next ILC (June 2011) where these international instruments could be formally adopted.”

According to the NDWA website, “The National Domestic Worker Alliance is organizing with domestic workers around the world to win a strong ILO Convention with the standards and protections this workforce so desperately needs.” This convention will be a huge step in demanding international recognition and respect for domestic workers.

For more details on NDWA’s campaign, check out their website here

In addition, there are many other countries with strong and active domestic worker’s movements. In India there is the National Domestic Workers Movement

In South Africa there is the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union

In Asia: Asian Domestic Workers Network

In the Carribean: National Union of Domestic Employees

For more information on the international movement, visit http://www.domesticworkerrights.org/.

For more information of the North American national movement, visit http://www.nationaldomesticworkeralliance.org/

Paid Sick Time Act

2010-10-04T12:11:00.001-04:00

Everyday, over 200,000 domestic workers in the greater New York City metropolitan area take care of the most important elements of their employers' lives -- their children, elders, and homes. Their health is vital to the health of New York's families and economy. Yet, despite their recent inclusion in New York State labor laws, they are still left without basic benefits such as paid sick days. Domestic workers are expected to go work when they or their loved ones are sick. "We risk losing our jobs or a day's pay for taking time to take care of our health," says Deloris Wright, a nanny in Manhattan.

Domestic workers have joined together with millions of other New Yorkers to urge the City Council to pass the Paid Sick Time Act. The historic legislation would give all private sector employees in New York City the right to earn paid sick time. It would require all employees earn a modest amount of paid sick time: 5 days per year at workplaces with fewer than 20 employees, and 9 days at workplaces with 20 or more employees.

We are close to winning the right to paid sick days for all New Yorkers. Speaker Christine Quinn is expected to make a decision on whether or not to bring the bill to the floor within days. We must push hard in these final hours, and we must emphasize inclusion of all New Yorkers in the legislation. As domestic workers, we know all too well the damage that exclusions can create. The bill already has a veto-proof majority - 35 out of 51 council members co-sponsors. Let's make our voices heard at City Hall and URGE SPEAKER CHRISTINE QUINN TO BRING PAID SICK TIME ACT TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.

Call and email Speaker Quinn TODAY!!

Here is a sample script:
"I am a New York City resident calling to urge you to bring the Paid Sick Time Act to the floor for a vote. New Yorkers can no longer wait. This is the single most important thing you can do to help New York’s working families, including domestic workers, achieve a better, more stable quality of life. This initiative is critically important to improving public health. And, we firmly believe that it will do so without becoming an undue burden on New York’s small business community. Pass the bill and do not exempt small employers. Millions of New Yorkers are counting on you."

EMAIL:
cquinn@council.nyc.gov

TELEPHONE:
District Office Phone
(212) 564-7757

Legislative Office Phone
(212) 788-7210

In solidarity,
Domestic Workers United

DWU is honored

2010-09-22T12:47:00.003-04:00

Domestic Workers United is proud to announce our recent award of recognition. The award was presented by Denis Hughes, president of AFL-CIO, at La Fuente's annual Bridge Builders Award Ceremony. The beautiful framed award is presented to DWU "In recognition of their commitment to building bridges across sectors, industries and ethnicities to further workers rights." We extend gratitude to La Fuente and NY and LI Civic Participation Projects for this honor!

In other great news, our sisters in California are doing great work for domestic workers rights. Read this article for more on that.

In addition, DWU was featured in an audio piece for World Vision Report. Give it a listen.

This week we have two important committee meetings. September 23rd is our Campaign Committee, meeting from 7-9 in the office and September 24th is our Basebuilding Committee meeting, also from 7-9 in the office.

A CALL TO ORGANIZE On the Occasion of the Historic Signing of the NY Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

2010-09-14T13:40:00.005-04:00

Our movement has made history. On August 31, 2010 Governor David A. Paterson signed the New York Domestic Workers Bill of Rights into law. As domestic workers organizations it is time to both take a step back to appreciate this moment, and to make a giant leap forward. First, we must understand what we won:

We won recognition. For the first time in any state, domestic workers will be included in all of the major labor laws protecting other workers. NY State has recognized that this is a workforce that deserves protections like any other. This includes: overtime pay at time and a half your regular rate of pay, a minimum of one day of rest per week, protection from discrimination and harassment and inclusion of part-time workers in disability laws.

We challenged and expanded how minimum standards are legislated. We have broken through and established a mandatory minimum of at least three paid days leave per year. No other worker receives paid leave by law in New York State. In fact, New York is an employment at will state, which means “no work, no pay,” unless you have a contract that states otherwise. Because domestic workers pushed legislators to understand the specific challenges to negotiation in the domestic setting, the legislature set a new precedent and included days off in the establishment of minimum standards for domestic workers.

We are paving the way for a new labor movement. We are forcing a debate about the existing structures for collective bargaining. Included in the bill is a mandate to the Department of Labor to study the feasibility and specific challenges to collective bargaining for domestic workers under the current state and federal labor relations laws. This is the first study of its kind, and domestic workers are helping shape the investigation through a partnership with the Department of Labor, in addition to producing our own independent study.

We -- working-class immigrant women of color -- are inspiring other workers and communities everywhere to continue organizing. Throughout the country and around the world, other low-wage workers, women and oppressed communities have been encouraged by this win to fight. We received over 170 media hits with the bill’s passage, including front page of the NY Times national section. With this victory, we have demonstrated that even in times of economic crisis and anti-immigrant sentiment, we can achieve major victories that change the course of history for working-people through organizing.

This is just the beginning. Our California affiliates have pushed a resolution through the California legislature in support of recognition and labor standards for domestic workers. This paves the way for the passage of the California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Many of you are now talking about bills in your states. In addition to that, we are moving reforms at the Department of Labor. And, internationally, we are moving a strong “Decent Work for Domestic Workers” convention at the International Labor Organization to internationally recognize the workforce and our contributions. Next year, we will be putting forward our vision for federal legislation that creates jobs, a career ladder and a path to citizenship for domestic workers.

So we must celebrate how far we have come. It was not easy. Angelica Hernandez, a member of Domestic Workers United, traveled to Albany twenty-six times during the course of the campaign; each trip to Albany is a 12-14 hour day. In addition to Domestic Workers United, members of all of the New York Domestic Workers Justice Coalition groups – Adhikaar for Human Rights, Unity Housecleaners, Damayan Migrant Workers Association, Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, Andolan Organizing South Asian Workers – rallied, marched, attended meetings and mobilized during the six year-long effort. The commitment and leadership of domestic workers inspired thousands to join the campaign.

And, now is the moment we must collectively take a big leap forward. We must make the most of this moment in history to organize and build real power among workers. As an alliance, we are still young. Many of our organizations are just beginning to build a membership base. There has never been a better time to build than now. With the press coverage, the story of the victory, and the track record of other organizations, we must now inspire tens of thousands of unorganized domestic workers to join our movement. We must do the difficult task of speaking to them, engaging them, bringing them to the next event or meeting, following up, and matching them with a role that will excite and involve them in building our organizations. Opportunities like this moment don’t come often – we must seize the moment.

When Governor Paterson signed the bill into law, he was surrounded by nearly 200 domestic workers and supporters; we filled two rooms in the Harlem community center where the signing took place. In his speech that morning, he said, “I am grateful to the sponsors for their extraordinary efforts to enact this landmark bill, and most of all to those domestic workers who dreamed, planned, organized and then fought for many years, until they were able to see an injustice undone.” Even the Governor knows that change happened in New York because domestic workers and the movement they built around this campaign organized to make it happen. Let us go out there and continue to grow and build this movement. In our work lies the key to deep social transformation. We can help lead the way for the working people of this country to collectively reach our human potential and realize our hopes and dreams for a better future for everyone.

A few updates

2010-09-09T12:39:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone!!

Don't forget about our upcoming General Membership Meeting on Saturday, September 18th. 3pm for new members, 4pm for everyone else. The meeting this month will be at the DWU office which is 1201 Broadway between 28th and 29th st. You can take the N R or the 1 train to 28th st.

If you haven't already, don't forget to mark your calendar for our 10th anniversary gala fundraiser on November 13th, 2010.

DWU has, once again, been all over the press and media. Watch this video on Democracy Now:

After Years of Organizing, Domestic Workers Win Bill of Rights Law in New York

Also, check out these articles:

Hudson Valley Press: http://www.hvpress.net/news/119/ARTICLE/9492/2010-09-08.html

Workers: http://www.workers.org/2010/us/domestic_workers_0916/

Jobs With Justice Blog: http://www.jwjblog.org/2010/08/first-ever-law-protecting-domestic-workers-rights-signed-in-ny/

ACLU: http://www.aclu.org/blog/immigrants-rights-womens-rights/first-ever-domestic-workers-bill-rights-becomes-law

Cheers!

Domestic Workers United

Making History!

2010-08-31T15:12:00.008-04:00

August 31st was an unforgettable day for DWU and domestic workers all over the world. Governor Patterson SIGNED the Domestic Worker's Bill of Rights! It will go into effect exactly 90 days later. The signing ceremony was held at the Dwyer Cultural Center in Harlem with at least 200 members, workers, allies, politicians and journalists in attendance. Governor Patterson, Priscilla Gonzalez, JFREJ member Donna Schneiderman and DWU member Delores Wright all spoke about the struggle and victory of this momentous moment.

You can watch the video clip from NY 1 here.

"We've made history today, not just for us, but for generations to come to prove that change can happen when we stand for dignity, justice, & respect for all!"

~Priscilla Gonzalez, Domestic Workers United

The signing of the bill

2010-08-24T11:35:00.002-04:00

Dear friends,

It is with great pleasure that we write to let you know that the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, S.2311-E (Savino)/A.1470-B (Wright), was finally delivered to Governor Paterson late last week. He has 10 days to act upon it.

As for the ceremony with Governor Paterson and the New York State legislature to commemorate this historic event, please be on the lookout for news sometime in September.

We thank each and every one of you for all you have done to push for this long-overdue legislation. When Governor Paterson signs the bill into law, it will be the first of its kind in the history of the United States. It will be a significant step forward in recognizing domestic workers as real workers and bringing dignity to the legacy of all the domestic workers who came before.

With love and respect,

DWU

Upcoming Events!

2010-08-12T13:06:00.019-04:00

Hi friends! DWU has a few really exciting events coming up in the near future. You won't want to miss any of these.

On Friday, August 13th (yes, that's tomorrow), the office is hosting a Karaoke Fundraiser. For $10 you will receive a drink, a plate of food and a fun filled night of singing with DWU members and friends. The event is located at 1201 Broadway, Suite 907, from 7-11pm.

Saturday, August 21st is our monthly general membership meeting. Orientation for new members starts at 3 and the meeting is from 4-6. The meeting is located at 85 South Oxford Street in Brooklyn. (C or G train to Fulton, any train to Atlantic Ave/Pacific St.)

The DWU Family Fun Day is just around the corner! Don't miss this day of good food, friends, games, prizes and fun on August 28th from 11am-5pm. Enter Prospect Park West through 3rd St. and join us at the Picnic House for this great event.

Stay tuned for more information regarding the signing of the Domestic Worker's Bill of Rights with Governor Patterson. The signing should take place within the next month, and we want as many people as possible to attend this historic event!

And last but definitely not least, don't forget to save the date for our 10th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser on November 13th, 2010. More information to follow on this event soon!

"Freedom, change and empowerment"

2010-08-06T12:57:00.015-04:00

The passage of the Domestic Worker’s Bill of Rights is a historic moment for New York’s working class. Once the governor signs the bill late summer and it goes into effect 90 days later, it will have a huge impact on the lives of New York’s domestic workers. It is important that we continue working to educate the entire domestic workforce and all employers about this new legislation. Everyone needs to know that they will soon be protected under labor laws! We asked some domestic workers: What does the bill of rights mean to you?

“FREEDOM, Change and empowerment! Recognition for the work that we do. Respect for the work that we do. We are not invisible anymore. ” –Pat Francois

“Finally, I got what is due to me! I feel liberated. This is what we were asking for; to make sure that people get what they really need.” –DWU member

“Finally domestic workers are seen as real workers and protection for this workforce has come at last!” –Allison Julien

“After 6 years of fighting for rights of domestic workers, I’m just elated.” –DWU member

Members of DWU participated in a march on July 29^th protesting Arizona’s SB 1070. Organizations and coalitions from all over New York gathered and marched across the Brooklyn Bridge in a nation-wide day of protest against the bill that would legalize discrimination and racial profiling. The march came with the encouraging news that Judge Susan Bolton of Federal District Court issued a preliminary injuction against portions of the law. The picture above is DWU members and friends participating in the march.

In the spirit of solidarity, members of DWU also participated in an immigrant workers rally for justice at Flaum Appetizing Corp, a kosher food processor and wholesaler. For more on this event, read this article.

Recent Updates!

2010-07-30T11:42:00.014-04:00

A lot has changed since our last blog entry. Former lead organizer Ai-Jen Poo has moved on to be the director of the National Domestic Worker’s Alliance and organizer Priscilla Gonzaléz is now the Executive Director of Domestic Workers United.

On July 1, 2010, the New York State Assembly and Senate passed the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The legislation is the FIRST in the United States to recognize domestic workers as real workers! Finally we have the recognition and respect we’ve fought so hard to achieve.

After 75 years of exclusion from labor laws and a 6-year legislative campaign to secure basic protections in New York State, domestic workers—nannies, housekeepers and elderly caregivers—have triumphed!

Governor Patterson is set to sign the bill into law during a ceremony sometime in mid-August—stay tuned for more details on this historic event.

DWU and the Bill of Rights have been ALL OVER the news lately! Check out these pieces:

Victory for An Excluded and Invisible Workforce-- by Bill Fletcher

The Nanny Uprising-- New York Magazine

Albany Approves No Fault Divorce and Domestic Worker's Rights-- New York Times

The Next Step for Domestic Worker's Rights-- Gotham Gazette

Hooray for Albany? State Legislature Acts to Boost Working People and the Economy-- The Huffington Post

We are planning on updating this blog more regularly with exciting features such as weekly themes, member stories, upcoming events and more. We want to keep our readers connected with everything that is going on with DWU as well as the greater activism community and related social movements, so keep checking back!

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

2009-06-30T14:50:00.002-04:00

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

2009-06-24T22:21:00.002-04:00

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!

2009-06-24T10:23:00.002-04:00

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

2009-06-23T12:32:00.000-04:00

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!

2009-06-23T12:31:00.000-04:00

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!

2009-06-11T11:06:00.002-04:00

THIS JUST IN:

On this morning's Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC, New York State Governor Paterson went ON THE RECORD to say that he would SIGN THE DOMESTIC WORKER BILL OF RIGHTS if and when it passes in Albany! Check out the audio at minute 20:48:

Gov Paterson on the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights:
"If you read back in the 30s, the reason that these workers and farmworkers did not receive those equal benefits it's because the southern Senators wouldn't vote for it. It really began with the racism of the mid 20th century. Uh, 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."

Folks, this removes one of our biggest obstacles to passing the Bill, so if you were still on the fence about coming out and supporting us, NOW IS THE TIME to decide that YOU WILL BE THERE when DOMESTIC WORKERS MAKE HISTORY!

Come out to the 24 hour vigil at city hall starting tomorrow at 8am, and come back out on Sunday at 1pm for the march!

And if you go to church or are attending the Puerto Rican Day Parade, COMING TO OUR MARCH would be the PERFECT COMPLEMENT to either one of those activities, so JOIN US AS SOON AS YOU CAN -victory is near and we want you there with us.

LET'S DO THIS!

The NYS Senate and the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

2009-06-10T18:30:00.001-04:00

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!

2009-06-09T16:05:00.010-04:00

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!

2009-06-07T18:12:00.004-04:00

"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!

2009-06-05T15:41:00.007-04:00

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!

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CO-SPONSORSHIP COUNT:
Assembly: 70
Senate: 26

LAST STRETCH TOWARDS MAKING HISTORY!

2009-06-03T13:15:00.005-04:00

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

Reflecting on Dr Martin Luther King Jr

2009-01-20T10:51:00.000-05:00

Hey Folks
I would like to take this time to share in the reflection of this great time in history - today as we celebrate the legacy of Dr Martin Luther King JR we must remember and always embrace our freedoms as a people especially as a people of color - today we have a freedom that was only dreamed of in the day of MLK - this is the freedom that he dreamed of for us to be free at last - thank God Almighty we are free at last...

For the last 7 years I have been privileged enough to understand what it really means to fight for what I believe in and from this experience I am now able to understand why when we dont fight back and when we dont resist it means that everything is okay - so as a domestic worker in NYC working without basis labor protections I have to continue this fight - always with the memory of the many civil rights leaders who have set the pace for people like myself not to be afraid to stand up and fight the many injustices that still exsists

Domestic Workers United we have a dream that one day all work will be valued equally - because without the work of domestic and farm workers (the only 2 workers excluded from labor laws) this country cannot function - So today I ask for you help in standing up for the things you believe in - all we have to do is to lean on each other because we need each other to lean on in order to move forward

"I am not fearing any man - my eyes have seen the promise land" "I can no more see than for this country to get rid of the disease of racism"
Dr Martin Luther King JR

The struggle still continues....

President Barack Obama - your Presidency of the people is supported....

Allison - 2009 -
Peace & Love & Happiness

DWU Upcoming Events

2008-11-07T15:14:00.001-05:00

TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT AND RECOGNIZE DOMESTIC WORKERS at the front lines of the financial crisis, working to make all other work possible . . .

THREE DOMESTIC WORKER BILL OF RIGHTS EVENTS YOU JUST SHOULDN'T MISS!

1. RALLY AND PRESS CONFERENCE - City Council Votes on Resolution to Support the NYS Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

Call upon New York City Councilmembers and local elected officials to take a stand in support of labor standards for New York's 200,000 domestic workers. Domestic workers are excluded from almost every major labor law; the financial crisis will hit those without a safety net the hardest. Act now to protect the workers who make all other work possible!

Thursday, November 13
11am-12:00 noon Rally and Press Conference
1:00-3:00 pm Vote inside City Hall
City Hall Steps
Enter on Broadway or Park Row
Take R/W to City Hall, the 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge or 2/3 to Park Place

_____________________________________________________

2. NY State Assembly HEARING ON DOMESTIC WORK

Come hear testimony and recommendations from domestic workers, employers, academics and policy experts on the crisis in the domestic work industry and the solutions toward recognition, respect and basic rights for domestic workers.

Friday, November 21
11am-2pm
250 Broadway
Assembly Hearing Room
Take R/W to City Hall, 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge or 2/3 to Park Place

_______________________________________________________________

3. CHILDREN'S VIGIL for the Human Rights of Domestic Workers

December 10 is International Human Rights Day. In honor of this day and the holiday season, show your solidarity with the children and families of domestic workers. This critical workforce supports 200,000 New York families as caregivers and housekeepers, yet works without a safety net, living wages or basic labor standards.

Their own children and families stand to suffer the most as the financial crisis hits. Stand up for respect and justice for domestic workers, call upon NYS legislators to act quickly, pass the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Protect the workers who make all other work possible.

Sunday, December 7
11:30am-1:00pm
City Hall steps
Take R/W to City Hall, 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge or 2/3 to Park Place

Exit Cuckoo -- November 22nd -- DWU Fundraiser

2008-10-22T15:36:00.000-04:00

Reports from National Domestic Worker Congress

2008-08-01T12:55:00.000-04:00

Written By: Gloria Esteva, leader at POWER (People Organized to Win Employment Rights) in San Francisco, CA. (english follows below). Photo by: Yona Paskova for the New York Times.

Mi experincia en el primer congreso de trabajadoras domesticas fue muy soprendente.porque a pesar de que para nosotras las fuimos de San Franncisco en carro atravezando todo el pais y estar canzadas,al llegar a las 2 de la madrugada a New Yor contemplar sus luces fue emocionante saber que llegabamos a tiempo. Pero tadas las luces de New York no tenian el brillo que los ojos de felicidad de nuestra companera Ai-heen al vernos llegar, asi mismo el gusto con que nos recibio en su casa esto nos ayudo mucho GRACIAS companera.
Al llegar al lugar donde empezo nuestro maravilloso congreso fue emocionante ver que ya estaban muchas companera de varias organizaciones lo mas interesante fue cuando empezaron los talleres y el intercambio de experiencias yo estuve en el taller de como usamos la cultura para organizar se menciono de que debiamos tomar en cuenta la cultura de la mayoria de nuestras miembras entre estas el ideoma con traduccion en las juntas la comida, los bailes asi mismo que no debemos permitir que nuestros hijos pierdan nuestra lengua espanol porque vimos que esto los aleja de nuestras familias tambien festejar a nuestros hijos con el dia del nino. nos une y festejar los exitos de nuestros ancestros. Lo importante que es acceder a la tecnologia proyectando nuestras culturas. Todos estuvimos de acuerdo con estos estos puntos, todo el congreso estuvo muy bien y sobre todo la eleccion de nuestro comite organizador y ademas la gran marcha que fue todo un exito sobre todo por la solidaridad de todas las organizaciones gracia a todos los que hicieron posible este congreso su trabajo rendira muchos frutos el ano que viene esperemos compatir mas exitos y lograremos mas organizaciones gracias Marisa por todo tu apoyo yo se que siempre contaremos contigo por favor siguenos escribiendo.

Gloria.

My experience at the first Domestic Workers Congress was very moving. Because despite the fact that we traveled cross country by car from San Francisco, arriving tired at 2 in the morning to contemplate the lights of New York, we were still excited to know we came on time. But all the lights of New York didn't have the brightness as those of the happy eyes of our compañera Ai-jen, who received us with much joy when she saw us arrive. With that same joy she received us in her home and helped us very much, THANK YOU compañera.
Upon arriving to the location of marvalous congress, it was exciting to see there were already compañeras from various organizations present. The most interesting was when we started the workshops and exchange of experiences. I participated in the workshop on how we all use culture to organize, it was mentioned that we should take culture in account, from translation, to the kind of food we have at meetings, dances, and also that we should not permit that our children lose our language of spanish because we've seen how this separates them from our family. We also talked about the need to celebrate Children's Day, the successes of continuing to celebrate our ancestors on Day of the Dead. How important it is to utilize technology to project our cultures. We all agreed with these oints, the whole congress was really good, above all the election of our coordinating committee and also the great march that was a total success. And also, the solidarity amongst the organizations. Thank you to everyone who made this Congress possible. Your work will generate many fruits in the coming year and we hope to share many more successes and accomplishments and more organizations. Thank you marisa for all of your support, i know we can count on you. Please let's keep in contact.

Gloria.

Bill of Rights Recap - 2008 Legislative Session

2008-06-30T16:17:00.004-04:00

June 23rd marked the closing of the 2008 Legislative Session, and with it, it concludes our fourth year of our fight to win a New York Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights would amend state labor law to provide much needed labor protections for the more than 200,000 women working as nannies, housekeepers and elderly caregivers.

At the beginning of the year, we had high hopes for our bill and were focused on moving it forward. Our first visit to Albany set the theme for the rest of the session, where the advice was: You need to bring more people to show the support this bill has. You need to demonstrate this very visually to the legislators here in Albany.

We took that advice and ran with it. Setting off to mobilize hundreds of Bill of Rights supporters, we organized two Days of Action in Albany. We reached out to our closest allies. We sought the support of new groups and individuals - in universities, church congregations, and in community presentations. Prep trainings were offered to everyone participating. And with the help of our NYU law students, we were able to schedule over 100 meetings with legislators over the course of the two days. With the motto, ‘It’s about time we have our time,’ we mobilized more than 550 supporters on April 15th and May 20th, more than doubling our numbers in previous years combined. We agitated, we educated and pushed for the passage of our Bill. And, the Domestic Slide was born!

Challenges
During the session we also encountered several challenges. Some of the provisions of the Bill of Rights are commonly found in collective bargaining agreements, and legislators feel that passing a law including these provisions would equal giving domestic workers ‘special treatment’. The second key issue is one of strategy -- some legislators think that the bill should be broken up and fought for incrementally, in smaller pieces.

Our response was to make the case that this industry is unique, and therefore the traditional means of establishing labor standards and protections through collective bargaining simply doesn’t work. It has been 73 years since the passage of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRB), which essentially formed the basis of worker protections in this country. Domestic workers were excluded from these protections. This historical exclusion along with numerous others has permitted the discrimination of domestic workers and it must be reversed. Yet the solution cannot solely involve the inclusion of domestic workers in the NLRB, because in fact, this industry is uniquely structured to prevent collective bargaining as we know it. There is no one employer for workers to negotiate with. There are over 200,000 workers, and there are the same amount of employers. And the workplaces are dispersed behind unknown doors throughout the metropolitan area. Any worker who tries, under such conditions, to negotiate for a paid holiday that her employer is not willing to provide, risks losing her job. There is no collective, and no bargaining power. In an industry where workers have little to no leverage in negotiating with their employers, an approach of ‘a little at a time’ will continue to subject domestic workers to unfair and unjust working conditions. The labor of domestic workers has gone unrecognized for too long. It’s been long enough.

Still, we haven’t been unwilling to negotiate and compromise with legislators. In this session alone we made three key changes to our bill to respond to legislators’ concerns without doing away with the spirit of the bill, including the removal of the Family and Medical Leave provisions, changing the applicability of the Bill to the Metropolitan Area, and including the Healthy New York program in our health care provision for the bill.

As this legislative session closes, the Bill [A628B] is still awaiting a vote in the Labor Committee. Assemblywoman Susan John, Chair of the Labor Committee has proposed alternative legislation, which would provide both farm workers and domestic workers with overtime pay and one day of rest per week. We support this effort, and we maintain that the Bill of Rights and its core components are the ultimate solution. Assemblywoman John has made a commitment to continue working with us to move the Bill forward.

Accomplishments
With the challenges and the lessons have also come many accomplishments. Here are some developments we’re particularly excited about:

• Strong Support from More People
This session we were successful in bringing more domestic workers and more supporters into the fight. In particular, faith communities, young people and students all played more visible roles. Labor has continued to be a key ally. We were joined this year by top labor leaders, including AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, whose own mother was a domestic worker for 40 years, and Roger Toussaint, President of TWU Local 100. A busload of UFCW Local 1500 members joined May 20, UAW members primed the hallways for us on April 15 and SEIU Local 32BJ continued in their support for our work. And on top of all the new support, we continue to be able to count on allies who have stood with us throughout: Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, Jobs with Justice, Immigrant Justice Solidarity Project and all the members of the New York Domestic Workers Justice Coalition – including CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities, Damayan Migrant Workers Association, Andolan Organizing South Asian Workers, Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees and Unity Housecleaners of Long Island. Together we demonstrated tremendous power in our demands for justice.

• Legislative sponsorship
Early this session, we received a great honor – we were presented with an award by the Black and Latino Legislators Association during Caucus weekend in mid-February. This was the beginning of a groundswell of support from legislators, following 2 high visibility days of action, led by members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, and followed by members of the Labor Committee and throughout the legislature. We closed the legislative session with 60 co-sponsors in the Assembly. And, Senator Maltese signed on as our Senate sponsor.

• Active Solidarity with Farm Workers
On March 4, domestic workers and farm workers joined together with the Labor-Religion Coalition for their annual 40-hour fast, this year highlighting immigrant worker rights. From that day forward, domestic workers and farm workers worked together closely, supporting one another’s efforts to win respect and reverse the legacy of injustice that has been our fate since the 1930’s. On May 20, the two groups of workers rallied jointly, bringing together workers and supporters from around the state in a call to action. These efforts have resulted in the passage of a measure to provide overtime pay and a day of rest to both farm workers and domestic workers in the Labor Committee. The power of this solidarity will continue to build as we prepare for the next legislative session.

• Visibility in the Media
At the end of this session, an editorial in the Sunday New York Times appeared in support of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The following day, a long story appeared in the Metro Section of the NY Times, detailing the stories of domestic workers around the country who participated in the first National Domestic Workers Congress, including a photo of a march where participants of the Congress and over 300 supporters marched from City Hall together for the Bill of Rights.

Next steps
The end of the legislative session does not mean our work for the year has ended. Now is the time for the groundwork to take place, the education, the basebuilding, the leadership development, the reflection, assessment and strategy development. We hope that you will take the time and breathing room to think about new communities and constituencies to mobilize in this historic movement for justice in our state. Collect postcards and letters of endorsement and support for the Bill of Rights, schedule discussions and presentations about domestic work in a school, church or community near you. Write an op ed in your local newspaper about what the Bill of Rights means to you. Schedule an in district meeting with your legislator about the Bill of Rights. Prepare to join DWU in the summer and fall for actions in support of workers who have been abused by their employers. And get ready for the fight next session, when we bring our moral message for justice and respect, and our collective power to bear in a sustained campaign of action, education and more action until we see a victory! Are you with us? We know you are!

There are too many people to thank for all that we have accomplished this year, but we would like to acknowledge a few – Richard Winsten, Jacqueline Williams, and Julie Ruttan of Meyer, Suozzi, English and Klein, Ed Ott, NYC Central Labor Council, Susan Borenstein of the AFL-CIO, Jeannine Johnson and Assemblyman Keith Wright, Jobs with Justice, Brooklyn Congregations United, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, NYU Immigrant Rights Law Clinic, Center for Constitutional Rights, Urban Justice Center, Third World Newsreel, all those who participated in the Albany Days of Action, the Justice for Farmworkers Campaign, and many more. . .

the Nanny Diaries

2008-06-18T15:43:00.002-04:00

Quite recently while walking down the street I saw an ad on a pole which read "Dog Walker for hire, $12 for half and $20 for a hour". When i saw this i had a terrible feeling within my gut to see that employers do not want to pay their Domestic worker a livable wage for taking care of their prized possession (namely their children) but they are willing to pay $20 a hour to have their dog walked. Thinking about this for a moment then clearly made me realise what or who they consider their prized possession. Here in a Global City like New York domestic Workers are treated less than human beings yet they continue to do the work that make all other work possible allowing their employers to go to work and have leisure time. Some domestic workers earn as little as $250 per week, some cant even afford to pay their or afford the necessity of a telephone. With no laws to protect us, no right to collective bargaining and no right to organize we are left at the whim of these employers. It is about time that we be given respect and recognition for the work we do , as a former proud nanny (who contributed a lot into educating and building a solid foundation for those in my care) i can identify some of the abuse and exploitation workers faced within this industry. There is a solution to these problems, this solution is The Domestic Workers Bill Of Rights it is about time this bill be pass to reverse the history of injustice that Domestic workers face, it is about respect, recognity and dignity ,it is about fair labour standards and most of all its about HUMANITY.

the Nanny Diaries

2008-06-18T15:41:00.001-04:00

While working as a nanny, one day I was not feeling well so I went to the doctor. He told me my Blood Pressure was HIGH and recommended I rest for one(1) week. When I returned home I called my employer and told her that the Doctor gave me a week off from work because I was not feeling well and my pressure was high and Oh Boy, she hit the roof she said why did he give you a week off, when you are sick you do not want a week off you only need a day, what am I going to do with these children. I told her I have a sick paper from the Doctor and she said she does not want it she just need me to come to work, I told her I would not be out that and she said well I am not paying you ,I took the week and rested and when I returned I was not paid for the week. (Talk about Injustice,)

Bill of Rights Gains Support in State Assembly

2008-06-13T22:01:00.004-04:00

Here's the latest count of New York State Assembly co/multi-sponsors of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights:

Bill Sponsor:
Keith L.T. Wright

Cosponsors:
Barbara M. Clark
Aurelia Greene
José R. Peralta
William Colton
Ruben Diaz, Jr.
Herman D. Ferrell, Jr.
Ivan C. Lafayette
John J. McEneny
N. Nick Perry
Annette Robinson
Darryl C. Towns
Linda B. Rosenthal
Felix Ortiz
Brian P. Kavanagh
Ellen Young
Nettle Mayersohn
J. Gary Pretlow
Hakeem Jeffries
Karim Camara
Mike Spano
Adam Clayton Powell, IV
Jeffrion Aubry
Phil Ramos
Richard Brodsky
Alan Maisel
Amy Paulin
Daniel O'Donnell

Multi-Sponsors:
Peter Abbate, Jr.
Michael Benjamin
William F. Boyland, Jr.
James F. Brennan
Adriano Espalliat
Richard N. Gottfried
Earlene Hooper
Rhoda Jacobs
Micah Z. Kellner
Charles D. Lavine
Joseph R. Lentol
Margaret M. Markey
Joan L. Millman
Audrey I. Pheffer
Bob Reilly
Naomi Rivera
Peter Rivera
William Scarborough
Michele Titus
Harvey Weisenberg
Carl E. Heastie
Anthony Seminerio
Ellen Jaffee
Marc S. Alessi
Vivian E. Cook
Clifford W. Crouch
Michael Cusick
Luis Diaz
Crystal D. Peoples

Solidarity Message

2008-06-09T11:16:00.000-04:00

Dear friends,

We on behalf of National Home & Domestic Women Workers Union express our deep solidarity with you.It is good news for us you hold your national congress in recent past.We came to know from IRENE of Holland.If we heard before we can send solidarity messes to your congress. We also express our heartfelt thanks to your and your new leaders.We also hope our relationship will be more closer in near future.

Please keep in touch.

In solidarity

Nahar Akter

General secretary

Message from Domestic Workers Union, Bangalore India

2008-06-03T13:29:00.001-04:00

SALAAMS,GREETINGS AND ALL SOLIDARITY FOR THE FIRST EVER NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKER CONGRESS!!!

INDIAN DOMESTIC WORKERS UNIONS ARE INSPIRED BY YOU ALL AND WE HAVE MILES TO GO BEFORE WE REACH THE NATIONAL CONGRESS STAGE. OF COURSE AT VARIOUS LEVELS ,IN STATES EFFORTS ARE GOING ON ,BOTH AT THE GROUND LEVEL AS WELL AS AT THE LOBBYING LEVEL. BOTH PATRIARCHAL AND FEUDAL ATTITUDES AND MINDSETS ARE BIG BLOCKS IN OUR COUNTRY.THE SOCIAL HIERARCHIES OF CASTE AND OCCUPATION,IN THE MINDS OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES REMAIN MAJOR STUMBLING BLOCKS. ALSO VARIOUS STRATEGIES ARE BEING WORKED OUT AT THE SOCIAL LEVEL FOR DIGNITY AND RECOGNITION!!
SO ALL COMRADES,OUR HEARTS AND IN SPIRIT WE ALL ARE WITH U. SEND US THE REPORTS AND ALL THE BEST,EVERY SUCCESS........
IN SOLIDARITY AND LETS DREAM OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

GEETA MENON,KARNATAKA DOMESTIC WORKERS UNION.BANGALORE INDIA

Domestic Workers are comin to NYC!

2008-06-02T18:46:00.002-04:00

In just a few days domestic workers from Boston, San Francisco, Houston, San Antonio, Miami, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington D.C. will be joining domestic workers in New York to convene the National Domestic Worker Congress. We're excited to see our compañeras again, looking to build from the unity that was sparked at the US Social Forum last summer. And this time, there will be new groups joining in.

New York as our meeting spot is no random choice. New York is the site of one of the strongest campaigns on the ground fighting for rights, respect and reparations for domestic workers. As this year's state legislative session comes to a close, we've been able to mobilize hundreds of people to agitate and push for the passage of the Bill of Rights. Our national allies are here to register there support and to begin to work towards place domestic workers on the national agenda for workers' rights.

The Congress will involved planning meetings, internal exchanges and joint political education sessions between domestic workers organizations. There will also be public conference, the detailed schedule is:

June 6th - Barnard College, 3009 Broadway at 117th street
10:30 AM Panel: Domestic Worker Organizing in the U.S.
Representatives from Alliance Member groups will talk about what's happening in the local cities and share innovations in campaign or programmatic work.

12:30 PM Lunch

1:30 PM Panel: Lessons in National Organizing
This panel will feature representatives from national groups: Jobs with Justice, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Right to the City Alliance, Grassroots Global Justice. They will share lessons building national alliances and waging national campaigns.

3:30 PM Breakout Discussions
There will be three break out groups:
- On Legal Advocacy as a way to support Domestic Worker organizing
- On Ally Groups and having active solidarity with Domestic Workers
- For Domestic Workers, how do we connect with critical issues of our time

7:00 PM Fundraiser Party for National Domestic Worker Alliance
at Bar 13, VIP Entrance - 121 University Place and 13th street, 3rd Floor
N/Q/R/Q/4/5/6 to Union Square

Saturday, June 7th @ 11AM
March for Rights, Respect and Reparations for Domestic Workers
Domestic Workers March for Rights, Respect and Dignity
11 AM - Meet at City Hall Park, On Broadway between Barclay and Chambers. Take the N/R to City Hall or 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge.

Message from Indonesian Migrant Workers Union

2008-06-02T18:30:00.001-04:00

Dear Freinds,

We are just heard from friends, that domestic workers in America will assembled in New York, this month. We area Indonesian Migrant Workers Union, a union for Indonesian domestic workers in Hong Kong, would like to say congratulation to domestic workers who will have a meeting in New York. Were in Asia already build a regional alliance for domestic workers in Asia, called Asian Domestic Workers Alliance, we've just launched on 1 May 2008. The members are grass root domestic workers union and organizations.

TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS ALLIANCE!

In Solidarity,
Rusemi
Chairperson of IMWU

Why I'm Going to Albany

2008-05-15T18:19:00.003-04:00

Hi my name is Deloris Wright I am a nanny, and a member of Domestic Workers United. May 20 is our Day of Action in Albany. This is our second mobilization this legislative session. We are fighting very hard to get our Bill of Rights pass this year. Personally for me I think we are sending a strong message to the Legislators with our presence, we need to let them know that enough is enough. We are not going to stop until we get this Bill passed and until we are recognized as real workers. We are two hundred thousand strong fighting for dignity and respect.We have been excluded from the labor law since slavery .We are tired of being on the back burner we need to be valued and treated with respect.

My mother's hands: the Domestic Worker's Union

2008-05-13T13:22:00.000-04:00

May 11, 2008 - 10:51am
By Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou

Dear God:

Like all children, I held my mother's hand as sign of assurance against a fall; a touch of loving; a way of being; the last time I saw her I was flying in from a rally of protest with a brief layover in her city. With the fervor of a prodigal son or better yet a prince returned, she made a fuss about me. (I am the baby you know.) We embraced; she sat me down and gave me that stern look and as always told me to be careful and not to make the president too mad. "Yes, ma'am", I obliged. We made chit chat about my siblings-some blue, all black.

And so were her hands. I rubbed them-tortured with calluses. Her knees ached and soul tired of scrubbing rich white folk floors. My mother is a "domestic" - like her mother and her mother before. I saw my mothers' hands again last night. Though not all black, they were blue. Reminding me from whence I came, they danced and sang calypso; testified before you, elected officials, and labor leaders.

I call on you now to protect them in the dark corners of their labor houses. May the children they serve hold their hands and feel their souls.

I talked to mother this morning and said it is OK to make the president really mad, for her. (Did I mention that I am the baby?)

Lillian's son,

Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou
p.s. please help the DWU pass the Domestic Worker's Bill of Rights
www.domesticworkersunited.org

A Mother's Day for Justice

2008-05-07T13:44:00.002-04:00

On May 11th we celebrate a holiday, one of those holidays that shouldn't be recognized for one day, but everyday. It's Mother's Day. And on this day - we remember those who birthed us, those who raised and nurtured us. This critical work, historically done by women, has shaped generation after generation. It is work that in some ways is the most basic, the most difficult, the most rewarding. It continues to be invisible and unrecognized.

Families, children, and mothers come in many shapes, colors and sizes. For some of us, we have several 'mothers' in our lives. Those people who have made us who we are. Nannies often time do this critical work - part educator, part psychologist, part doctor - part many things, but always done with a full helping of love. Today is a day to honor them too. Yet how is it that only one day is set aside to recognize this work of raising children, our future? Where would we be without this work? And why is it sufficient to offer our mother's some flowers, maybe some chocolates for all their work?

Let this be a Mother's Day of Justice. We want flowers and chocolates, we want a full helping of love. But more than that we want a full helping of justice. By seeking justice, we can have Mother's Day everyday - we demonstrate our love through the fight for recognition, respect, dignity. On this day, give homage to the people in your lives who have nurtured you to become the person you are. And also, stand with domestic workers, who have and continue to do this work, this dignified work, this labor of love.

This is not a test...

2008-04-11T17:53:00.004-04:00

Some of you may have received our new update, and, of course wouldn't be a first time thing without a little bit of a mistake! Just so you know..it was not a test, but the real thing ;) . But, if you have suggestions or ideas on how to make it better, by all means let us know!

Here at DWU we are hard at work putting the finishing touches on what we hope will be one more step towards making history for domestic workers. We're calling to confirm with the over 200 people who have committed to an early rise up on Tuesday morning. The appointments are set, we're getting those chant sheets ready and our awaiting the shipment of some snazzy new t-shirts we'll all wear in Albany.

The stage is set. On Tuesday we'll arrive in Albany, with our biggest band of supporters to date. We are slated to sit down and speak to 40 legislators. The Bill of Rights [#A628B and S5235] has been introduced in both the Senate and the Assembly and is awaiting to be heard in the Labor Committee in both houses. Our key task that day will be to confirm 'yes' votes from enough legislators to ensure that the Bill of Rights passes through the Labor Committee with flying colors and to continue to build momentum and support for our cause.

Now, we all know Albany's been busy lately. Know that maybe the recent scandals have sent shock waves in the capital. We know that every year the budget is a big fight. But the thing is - we think this has gone on long enough. Domestic workers have been waiting for justice for too long. Our work has never been recognized, never been given its due respect. We ask the legislators in Albany - how much longer? How many more cases of abuse? We've been saying, Its About Time we Have OUR Time. We are urging that legislators take action and pass the Bill of Rights.

We are ready for a day in Albany. And we thank you for all your support and for standing with us, because we know we can't do it alone.

p.s. Make sure and brush up on your dancing this weekend. On Tuesday, we'll be unveiling our new 'Domestic Slide' - get ready!

2008-04-07T17:03:00.002-04:00

Seder in the Street

2008-04-07T16:42:00.002-04:00

-By Carla
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice celebrated Seder at Seward Park. The event combined various aspects of Jewish seder traditions with domestic workers and housing issues.
Domestic Workers United was invited to make a presentation and I was given the opportunity to speak. I spoke about conditions in the domestic work industry and highlighted our excellent and dedicated service as domestic workers. I stressed that while employers appreciated the care we provided for their families, they pay many of us what they consider as industry standards but what is often insufficient. I also explained the struggles for domestic workers and their families surviving on what we are paid. I explained that while we accept appreciation from our employers by words, what we really needed was appreciation by action. I further stressed that domestic work is a priceless job and a valuable service that we provide to our employers. Our employers cannot put a cost on loving and caring for their families. As domestic workers we give a lot and receive very little. I challenge employers to go against current industry standards and support the domestic worker bill of rights. After my speech, three employers at the Sedar said they will support our bill of rights.

Members from Jews for Racial and Ecomomic Justice did a speech on the ten plagues that strickened Egypt and they did a symbolic modern plagues that i found to be very touching. Some of these modern day plagues were intolerance, racisim, gentrification and greed. They said the importance of getting rid of these plagues from our society and building a better society. The whole event was interesting an meaningful and even though it was a cold day, I was glad I attended.

Who's Coming to Albany?

2008-04-06T15:41:00.000-04:00

9 days to go...

The buzz is official - on the 15th of April hundreds of people will converge on the state capital in Albany, New York to demand the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. And, we know 6 am is awful early, that its a full day commitment - yet more than 200 people have signed up to get on the bus, because Its About Time Domestic Workers Get Some Justice!

Shout outs to our allies who have made the commitment to join us on April 15th:
Andolan
Jew for Economic and Racial Justice
Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees
UNITY Housecleaners
TWU Local 100
Las Mujeres de Santa Maria
Brooklyn Congregations United
John Murphy Labor Center
Regeneración Collective
Cornell University
Social Justice Leadership
NYU Immigrant Law Clinic
Jobs with Justice
Students for a Democratic Society
CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities
Center for Constitutional Rights
Students from: Fordham University
Urban Justice Center
New York Immigration Coalition
Immigrant Justice Solidarity Project
Global Action Project
Socialist Party USA

plus individual activists! more organizations to come! will you be there on april 15th? if interested, please email: domesticworkersunited@gmail.com

I'm Gettin' on the Bus: Words from Domestic Workers Headin' to Albany

2008-04-02T16:22:00.001-04:00

Its important that I get on the bus to let them know that domestic workers have a voice and we want to be heard. Its about time we have our time.
- Allison

I'm going because I think its time the legislators and the bosses in Albany recognize domestic workers as workers. We are too often an invisible workforce. Its about time we get what we rightly deserve and for us that's having our Bill of Rights. For me the Bill of Rights means I don’t have to feel afraid to be fired by my employer. I would feel more protected with the Bill of Rights. Because they can no longer just hire and fire me as they please.
- Alicia

I'm getting on the bus because its about time that the domestic workers be given the respect, recognition and dignity that we deserve. After having been enslaved and continued to be enslaved ever since those days of slavery. We are not looking for special treatment what we seek is reparation for the injustices that have been brought upon workers in this industry.
- Joyce

I am frustrated with the way undocumented workers are being treated. You’re not being cared for, not treated like a human being. Like they don’t recognize you. Its like if you're undocumented they’re not obligated to give you certain things. Maybe they think - How much can you say? What right do you have? Vacation without pay, and if your sick you’re not compensated for that day that your out. I am going to Albany to hear what our leaders might have in place for us to make our workforce more compfortable and reassured. I would say to them – reassure us that we have a right, regardless of documentation, we have the right to ask for justice. They shouldn't act against us just because we’re asking for justice.
- Dianne

Legislators should know that if it was anytime in their life that they could make history its now. To correct all the wrongs that has been done since the times of slavery up until now. Because today, domestic workers are still working in the shadows of slavery. So when they pass our Bill of Rights this is the best way they could ever ever make history.
Signed,
Sista with a Vision

Shalom Bayit: Justice for Domestic Workers

2008-04-02T15:24:00.001-04:00

May 31, 2006, submitted by JFREJ member

Last Tuesday (May 23rd), I had the opportunity to travel to Albany with about 80 member of Domestic Workers United (DWU) and 17 other members of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ). DWU is a city-wide coalition of domestic workers and organizations of domestic workers. The JFREJ presence on the trip was part of our ‘Shalom Bayit: Justice for Domestic Workers’ campaign. JFREJers attended this trip as allies to DWU, to support them in lobbying NY state legislators to back their Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights.

Domestic workers’ (nannies, housekeepers, and elderly care providers) experiences range from wonderful to abusive and everything in between, a problem stemming from the fact that domestic workers are excluded from most labor laws in the US (you can see a summary of these laws in the report cited below). As a result, domestic workers are often at the whim of their employers. 26% of domestic workers earn wages below the poverty line. 67% reported not receiving proper compensation for overtime worked. About 1/3 reported some type of abuse in their work environment. A staggering 90% do not have health insurance. (all of these facts are from DWU’s recently published report on domestic workers in the NY area).

DWU’s proposed Bill of Rights includes a living wage of $14/hour ($16 if the employer does not provide health insurance), paid sick and vacation days, overtime pay, advance notice of termination, and severance pay – among other things – that many of us expect and take for granted from our own employers. It is currently being moved through different committees of the New York State senate. On Tuesday, we encouraged legislators to push the bill to a vote on the senate floor.

Tuesday’s lobby day arrived on the heels of the aforementioned publication of DWU’s report “Home is Where the Work is: Inside New York’s Domestic Worker Industry,” summarizing several years of research, which included over 500 interviews with domestic workers in the NY area. There are over 200,000 domestic workers in the tri-state area, the overwhelming majority of whom are women of color. The questions stemming from this issue are numerous: how does the way domestic workers are treated affect the way our culture values domestic work itself? Do we still fail to view what is traditionally “women’s work” as actual work? How can we continue failing to recognize the importance of people who care for our most intimate and precious possessions – our children, our parents, and our homes?

These questions are the fuel for JFREJ’s Shalom Bayit campaign. The campaign seeks to “alter power relations between domestic workers and employers within NYC synagogue communities” (from the JFREJ website). We do this by encouraging dialogue between employers within communities, the long-term goal of which is to improve the working environment for both employer and employee. One of the problems is that because domestic work is not valued as real work, oftentimes employers of domestic workers fail to see themselves as employers. SB is also working on building resources for employers on a variety of topics, ranging from how to pay one’s domestic worker on the books to how to purchase health insurance. We encourage rabbis, including those who are members of the JFREJ Rabbinical Council, to give sermons on this topic. We held a pre-Passover event at which several rabbis taught texts on labor issues in Jewish tradition and two members of DWU spoke about their experiences as domestic workers. We also distributed our SB haggadah supplement, which contains five different readings for the Passover seder dealing directly with domestic work, each tied to a different part of the seder. (Upcoming events are listed here).

Tuesday was an incredibly uplifting day for me, for a number of reasons. The women of DWU are truly remarkable and they are a joy to be around. There’s an underlying tone in so many progressive organizations and circles that mainstream politics are simply “not for us.” Our game is to work on the grassroots level, and even attempting to enter the realm of mainstream politics, beyond demonstrating at the RNC, is simply not worth our time. On Tuesday, I learned that one can only have such an attitude as I have just described with a certain degree of economic and/or racial privilege – the privilege of knowing that regardless of what happens in mainstream politics, one’s life will more or less stay the same. For the women of DWU, pushing this legislation is not simply a matter of making a lot of noise in Albany, it’s about their lives. It’s about dignity and respect, gained through a bill that guarantees them rights that so many of us take for granted. It’s with this passion that they marched into the offices of the most white legislators in Albany and told their stories, proudly, fiercely, and emotionally.

Lobby day was one step among many, and I also believe that our organizing in synagogue communities can have a tremendous political impact. If employers across New York city concerned themselves with being better employers and treating their employees the way that they expect to be treated in their own workplaces, the support for this legislation would be enormous. The discussion is just getting started.

Get Ready for Albany

2008-04-01T16:08:00.003-04:00

April 15th and May 20th are important days..

In order to have the impact we want to have, we should be prepared! Trainings are for anyone who's interested in joining DWU on April 15th and/or May 20th for our trip to Albany to fight for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. If you have never done a day or event like this before, these trainings will help you prepare and know what to expect in advance. We encourage everyone to attend. Refreshments will be served.

Please call our office at 718.220.7391 x23 to RSVP so we know how much to prepare..

Saturday April 5th
General Legislative Visit Training 12:30 - 2:30
NYU Law School - Furman Hall
245 Sullivan Street, between West 3rd and Washington Square South
Directions: Take the A/C/E/F/D/B/V to West 4th street

Thursday April 10th
General Legislative Visit Training 7 - 9 PM
Park Slope Jewish Center
1320 8th Ave @ 14th st.

Sunday April 13th
General Legislative Visit Training 2:00 - 4:00
NYU Law School - Furman Hall
245 Sullivan Street, between West 3rd and Washington Square South

Fight for the Bill of Rights in Albany, April 15th & May 20th

2008-03-12T15:34:00.004-04:00

TWO Albany Days of Action for

RESPECT, RECOGNITION AND REPARATIONS

for Domestic Workers

Take a Stand for a Domestic Workers BILL OF RIGHTS in New York

TUESDAYS - APRIL 15 & MAY 20

Meet in front of the Barnes and Noble on the north side of Union Square Park at 6:00 am

Take the 4/5/6/N/R/W/Q to Union Square in Manhattan

Transportation by bus and food provided, donations welcome!

Call to reserve your seats today! We need reservations as soon as possible to book buses. If your organization would like to co-sponsor, or for more information contact domesticworkersunited@gmail.com or (718) 220-7391 x 11.

Everyday, 200,000 domestic workers (nannies, elderly companions, housekeepers) in New York make it possible for their employers to go to work; most are employed without a living wage, healthcare, and basic labor protections. A long-standing history of exclusion from basic labor laws, the devaluing of women’s work and women of color workers, along with the physical isolation in their employers’ homes creates vulnerability to abuse.

Domestic workers in New York are organizing for power, respect and a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, to recognize the workforce and establish basic labor standards including an annual cost of living wage increase, notice of termination and severance pay, paid sick days, holidays and vacation, and health care . This legislative session, we're making a big push to be heard and change the course of history for this critical workforce. Join us and take a stand in support of justice, recognition and respect for all workers.

You can download a DAY OF ACTION ORGANIZING TOOLKIT in our MEDIA section at www.domesticworkersunited.org

Domestic Workers United

White House and Department of Labor Call for Fair Labor Standards for Home Care Workers

And the Award Goes to...Today's Help!

Up with the 99%

Building Power in the 21st Century

Over 200 Domestic Workers Unite for Change

Nanny describes penniless Christmas due to unpaid wages at Domestic Workers Convention

A New Day, A New Standard/ New York Domestic Workers Convention

Domestic Workers and the Occupy Movement

DWU Expands Partnerships and Builds on Bill of Rights Victory with Caring Across Generations National Campaign Launch

DWU Organizes NY Domestic Worker Convention: One Year after the Bill of Rights

DWU Launches Domestic Worker Legal Clinic with the Urban Justice Center

DWU & JFREJ Launch the Domestic Justice Dialogue Project

DWU Implements a Multi-Media Know Your Rights Campaign

DWU Launches Mass Organizing Campaign with Innovative Ambassador Program

We need Interpreters & Equipment for Domestic Workers NY Convention

Seeking Experienced Volunteer Interpreters

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DOMESTIC WORKERS WIN RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS WORLDWIDE!

DWU at the White House!

Get your 'Know Your Rights' Guide Today!

Christine Lewis on the Colbert Report!

Tweet DWU!

2010: A Historic Year!

November 29, 2010: A New Day for Domestic Workers!

DWU is Honored!

DWU 10th Anniversary Gala a HUGE success!!!

RSVP RSVP RSVP!!!

Events, events, events!!

Youtopia Grant for DWU

Justice for Domestic Workers on an International Scale

Paid Sick Time Act

DWU is honored

A CALL TO ORGANIZE On the Occasion of the Historic Signing of the NY Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

A few updates

Making History!

"We've made history today, not just for us, but for generations to come to prove that change can happen when we stand for dignity, justice, & respect for all!"~Priscilla Gonzalez, Domestic Workers United

The signing of the bill

Upcoming Events!

"Freedom, change and empowerment"

Recent Updates!

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

Pictures from June 14th Children and families March

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

DOMESTIC WORKERS URGE SENATE TO TAKE ACTION, PASS BILL

ASSEMBLY TO VOTE TODAY!

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

The NYS Senate and the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

DOMESTIC WORKERS Take Albany AGAIN!

TOMORROW'S FORECAST: DWU Storm in Albany!

HARLEM DINNER HUGE SUCCESS!

LAST STRETCH TOWARDS MAKING HISTORY!

Reflecting on Dr Martin Luther King Jr

DWU Upcoming Events

Exit Cuckoo -- November 22nd -- DWU Fundraiser

Reports from National Domestic Worker Congress

Bill of Rights Recap - 2008 Legislative Session

the Nanny Diaries

the Nanny Diaries

Bill of Rights Gains Support in State Assembly

Solidarity Message

Message from Domestic Workers Union, Bangalore India

Domestic Workers are comin to NYC!

Message from Indonesian Migrant Workers Union

Why I'm Going to Albany

My mother's hands: the Domestic Worker's Union

A Mother's Day for Justice

This is not a test...

Seder in the Street

Who's Coming to Albany?

I'm Gettin' on the Bus: Words from Domestic Workers Headin' to Albany

Shalom Bayit: Justice for Domestic Workers

May 31, 2006, submitted by JFREJ member

Get Ready for Albany

Fight for the Bill of Rights in Albany, April 15th & May 20th

"We've made history today, not just for us, but for generations to come to prove that change can happen when we stand for dignity, justice, & respect for all!"

~Priscilla Gonzalez, Domestic Workers United