Outrageous Acts

New York Times Editorial: Pass the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights

An editorial in today’s New York Times calls on Albany, which “has not been able to govern its way out of a paper bag” to “bestow some fundamental rights and protections on the invisible workers whose labors are a cornerstone of the New York economy.”

Bringing domestic workers up to parity with employees in other industries is not outrageous, it is the just, responsible and long-overdue action for New York State. See our recent postings and learn how to contact your legislators to ask that they vote in favor of the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, legislation that was drafted by our grantee, Domestic Workers United. There is currently a tremendous opportunity for victory: If New York State lawmakers can put aside their differences in time to pass the bill, Governor Patterson has pledged to sign it into law. The full text of the Times editorial follows.

The Rights of Domestic Workers
New York Times Editorial
June 15, 2009

There are more than 200,000 workplaces in New York State where fundamental labor standards do not apply, not even in theory. These are not sweatshops or salt mines. They are private homes, where housekeepers, nannies and caregivers for the elderly do work as important as it is isolated and unprotected.

The exclusion is a relic of the New Deal, when labor protections like overtime pay were written specifically to exclude domestic and farm labor. From exclusion it can be a short distance to abuse: to long hours, low pay, dehumanizing treatment, physical and sexual harassment.

Domestic workers and their advocates in New York have been pressing for reforms. They have been telling their stories in Albany and across the state and steadily gathering support for a Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. The legislation, the first of its kind in the nation, would reform state labor law to provide basic protections like time-and-a-half pay for every hour over a 40-hour week; one day off a week; paid vacation and sick days; severance pay and health coverage — and a means of enforcing these standards in court.

Most other workers take these standards for granted. They don’t know what it’s like to have to show up for work sick rather than be fired, to be denied privacy and dignity, to be powerless to demand decent treatment from their employers.

Backers of the bill had been confident that this could finally be the year for a groundbreaking victory, at least before the recent power struggle brought the Capitol to new depths of shame, ridicule and paralysis.

If the Legislature decides to return to its senses and start passing meaningful legislation that improves New Yorkers’ lives, it should include the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. Albany, which has not been able to govern its way out of a paper bag, should at least be able to bestow some fundamental rights and protections on the invisible workers whose labors are a cornerstone of the New York economy.

Join Governor Patterson — Show Your Support for Domestic Workers

On the Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC in New York City this morning, Governor David Patterson expressed his willingness to sign the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. He said:

If you read back in the 1930s, the reason that these workers and farmworkers did not receive equal benefits is because the southern Senators wouldn’t vote for it. It really began with the racism of the mid 20th century. 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.

Show Your Support
To show the legislature that you would also sign the bill, take part in the 24-hour vigil at New York City Hall (starting tomorrow Friday 12 June at 8:00 am) or the March at City Hall (Sunday 14 June at 1:00 pm). Activity details.

More information on the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights is available in the radio interviews below, our previous post and from Domestic Workers United.

Radio Interviews
Brian Lehrer interview with Keith Wright (D-70th) sponsor in the New York State Assembly of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, Ai-Jen Poo, lead organizer with Domestic Workers United, working nanny Barbara Young, and Donna Schneiderman, co-chair of Jews for Racial & Economic Justice’s “Shalom Bayit” campaign at DWU.

Brian Lehrer interview with Governor David Patterson on the shake up in the State Senate and what to expect in the waning days of the legislative session (includes his expression of support for Domestic Workers Bill of Rights).

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Attendance Counts: Show Up for Domestic Workers

Attendance counts next week. Show up and take action to make the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights the law in New York State. Go to the State Capitol, fill a shift in a 24-hour vigil at City Hall, march with your family, or attend a public forum. [For more information, see related post and Domestic Workers United.] See below for how you can be an outrageous activist for domestic workers and RSVP now.

Visit Albany - Monday June 8, 2009
6:30am - 8:00pm
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 leave Manhattan 6:30am from Union Square Barnes & Noble - North side of the park
Return by 8:00pm the same day
RSVP: aijendwu@gmail.com or 212-481-5747
[map]

Join the Vigil at NYC City Hall - Friday-Saturday June 12-13
8:00am - 8:00am
24-Hour Vigil for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights
Many domestic workers, particularly live-in workers, work around the clock without rest. In solidarity, New Yorkers will stand together for 24 hours straight in a symbolic show of support for the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to ensure domestic workers receive overtime, job security, basic respect and recognition.

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
[map]

March for Peace and Justice in NYC - Sunday, June 14
1:00pm - 4:00pm
NY Children and Families March for Domestic Workers Rights
Bring your entire family, community and congregation 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. 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.

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
[map]

Learn More, Raise Awareness - Monday, June 15
7:00 - 9:00pm
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 Jennifer Baumgardner, activist and author; the Guerilla Girls, artists and activists; Maria Hinojosa, Senior Correspondent of NOW on PBS and NPR’s Latino USA anchor; Katha Pollitt, author and The Nation columnist; Amy Richards, activist and author; Gloria Steinem, activist and Ms. Magazine/Ms. Foundation co-founder; and Jessica Valenti, Feministing.com founder.

Julius Held Auditorium
304 Barnard Hall, Barnard College - Barnard Center for Research on Women
3009 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
[map]

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