The NYS Senate and the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

Dear Friends,

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday, June 14 - NY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MARCH for DOMESTIC WORKERS RIGHTS
Bring your entire family, community and congregations to this Sunday afternoon, after-church, "march for peace and justice in the home" to show how many people of faith support and are connected to domestic workers. With children leading the march, many generations will march together with one common message and theme. Let's send a strong message to the NY State Legislature and the Governor that we won't stop until they honor, respect and protect the work that makes all other work possible in New York.
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
City Hall - across from 250 Broadway
Take the N/R to City Hall, or the 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge
RSVP, particularly with groups to joycedwu@gmail.com or (212) 481-5747

DOMESTIC WORKERS Take Albany AGAIN!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TOMORROW'S FORECAST: DWU Storm in Albany!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

HARLEM DINNER HUGE SUCCESS!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WE WON'T STOP NOW!

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CO-SPONSORSHIP COUNT:
Assembly: 70
Senate: 26

LAST STRETCH TOWARDS MAKING HISTORY!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

nited.org or (212) 481-5747

Monday, June 8 - DOMESTIC WORKERS SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER IN ALBANY
Join domestic workers for a day of culture, testimony, truth-telling, legislative visits, a rally and march at a critical time in the legislative session
Buses Leaving 6:30 am from Union Square Barnes and Nobles - North side of the park
Returning by 8:00 pm the same day
Take the N/R/4/5/6/L to Union Square
RSVP - aijendwu@gmail.com, or (212) 481-5747

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

Sunday, June 14 - NY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MARCH for DOMESTIC WORKERS RIGHTS
Bring your entire family, community and congregations to this Sunday afternoon, after-church, "march for peace and justice in the home" to show how many people of faith support and are connected to domestic workers. With children leading the march, many generations will march together with one common message and theme. Let's send a strong message to the NY State Legislature and the Governor that we won't stop until they honor, respect and protect the work that makes all other work possible in New York.
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
City Hall - across from 250 Broadway
Take the N/R to City Hall, or the 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge
RSVP, particularly with groups to joycedwu@gmail.com or (212) 481-5747

Monday, June 15 - National Domestic Workers Alliance Regional Congress Public Forum - WOMEN AND WORK
Join domestic worker organizers, feminist scholars, activists, legislators, and other allies to raise awareness on how to extend protections to all working women. Featuring a video presentation of women leaders from across the country who are raising their voices to support the work being done on behalf of domestic workers in this country. Video includes appearances by: Jennifer Baumgardner, activist and author; the Guerilla Girls, artists and activists; maria Hinojosa ‘84, Senior Correspondent of NOW on PBS and NPR’s Latino USA anchor; Katha Pollitt, author and The Nation columnist; amy richards ‘92, activist and author;
Gloria Steinem, activist and Ms. Magazine co-founder; and Jessica Valenti, Feministing.com founder.
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Julius Held Auditorium
304 Barnard Hall, Barnard College - Barnard Center for Research on Women
3009 Broadway
New York, NY 10027

Reflecting on Dr Martin Luther King Jr

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

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

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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

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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