6.12.2013
Some recent coverage of the California Bill of Rights campaign, as it passed the state Assembly at the end of May:
"California Legislature to Vote on a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights" - Think Progress 5/29/13
6.11.2013 | WBEZ 91.5
James and I meet in a car, outside a cafe. We’re using a fake name for James because he worries the elderly couple he works for as a live-in caretaker will find out he is talking to the media.
James is shaking and carrying a small notebook. He says because he doesn’t have co-workers, or see his wife or three kids for days, the only way to stay sane is to write down his struggles. He opens the notebook and starts reading.
His employers don’t want to pay for him to use their water, so he brings drinking water and showers at home on his time off.
5.30.2013
5.22.2013 | We Belong Together
The Gang of Eight's immigration bill includes provisions that would allow the return of deported parents, and that would enable immigration judges to exercise discretion to block deportations that would separate families.
If approved, amendments introduced by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee could dismantle these provisions. As the Committee prepared to vote on these destructive amendments, NDWA joined We Belong Together to hold a telebriefing to highlight the need to preserve these provisions of the bill.
Download or listen to the telebriefing (click to stream, right-click or control-click to download)
Featuring:
5.22.2013
Member Leader Chandra Walker and Organizer Jerret Johnson participated in the Southern Freedom Movement in Jacksonville, Fl. on April 26-28. Over 40 Southern organizations came to strategize to work together on capacity building, politicizing our communities, bringing awareness about injustices against our youth and families.
Folks marched in downtown Jacksonville in the name of Travis Swanson, Trayvon Martin, Marissa Alexander, Christian Fernandez, and Jordan Davis to the steps of the Duval Courthouse. The families of the victims of injustice told their stories and thanked everyone for the support and urge the communities to continue fighting for their love ones.
The Atlanta Chapter is looking forward to staying connected with the Southern Freedom Movement organizations to keep strengthening the people of our communities. Click here for more information on the Southern Movement Alliance: http://southtosouth.org/southern-movement-alliance/
5.16.2013 | Odette Yousef | PRI's The World
Myrla Baldonado left the Philippines for Chicago six years ago. Most of her time here, she cared for elderly people in their homes, attending to their round-the-clock needs. She made their beds, fixed meals, and monitored them for symptoms of stroke or illness. Baldonado worked like this for years—putting in 96-hour weeks—at $4 an hour.
“Like most immigrants, I tried not to pay attention to it,” says Baldonado.
She said that wage was standard, what other caregivers got, too. And she needed a job.
“But then when I started being shouted at and I felt being discriminated for not being an original English speaker, I felt so bad,” says Baldonado.
5.2.2013
Pramila Jayapal of We Belong Together and Myrla Baldonado of Caring Across Generations to be honored in Washington, DC
WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, May 6th, the White House will honor fifteen Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women as “Champions of Change.” A part of the White House’s observance of AAPI Heritage Month, this event will recognize Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women who are doing extraordinary things to create a more equal, safe, and prosperous future for their communities and the country.
“These fifteen women represent the strength and diversity of the AAPI community. These leaders – in business, advocacy, philanthropy, sports, the arts, and academia – are wonderful examples for young women across the country,” said Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls.
5.1.2013 | Associated Press | Business Week
HONOLULU (AP) — A national organization representing local groups of nannies, housekeepers and other domestic workers is praising Hawaii's Legislature for passing a bill to create a domestic workers bill of rights.
The director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Ai-jen Poo, said Wednesday the group is pushing to pass similar bills in other states. Hawaii would be the second state after New York with protections on wages and other issues if Gov. Neil Abercrombie signs the bill.
"This is part of a growing wave to address the injustices of the past and support today's workforce," Poo said.
The bill passed the House and Senate on Tuesday with little opposition in the heavily Democratic chambers. It covers cooks, waiters, butlers, housekeepers and other workers, including babysitters in some cases.
The bill makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone employed as a domestic worker based on race, gender, sexual orientation and other factors.
Rep. Roy Takumi, a Democrat from Pearl City, said in a statement that the bill offers a basic level of protection extended to other workers.
4.30.2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rachel Tardiff, 202.746.1507, Rachel@FitzGibbonMedia.com
Governor Now Has 60 Days to Sign Bill, Make Hawaii Second State in the Nation to Extend Basic Labor Protections to Domestic Workforce
Honolulu, HI—Hawaii’s legislature passed landmark legislation to protect domestic workers from discriminatory practices and cover them under the state’s wage and hour law. If signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie, Senate Bill 535, which passed both chambers yesterday, would grant basic employee rights to domestic workers by ensuring they are eligible for minimum wage and other protections.
Domestic workers care for homes, children, and families around the country. Their work supports millions of professionals so they may to go to work knowing the most precious elements of their lives are in good hands. However, domestic workers have been excluded from the most basic federal labor protections since the New Deal, exposing them to abuse and mistreatment.
4.27.2013 | Sarah Zoellick | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Hawaii is poised to become the second state, after New York, to grant basic employee rights to in-home domestic workers by ensuring they be eligible for minimum wage, maximum hours and other protections.
House and Senate conference committee members agreed to a bill Thursday that would add domestic workers — a predominantly female, immigrant workforce often putting in long hours for little pay — to the state definition of employment.
