Help Pass The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights
From our allies in New York Domestic Workers United:
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. Despite caring for the most important elements of their employers lives, they are vulnerable, isolated and excluded from almost every major labor law.With no leverage, they risk losing their jobs for asking for a sick day, or a day off to see the doctor. Now, with the economic crisis, they are facing more lay-offs without a safety net and more abuses without recourse. Now more than ever, domestic workers need The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.
Over the past few years you 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. You'll be happy to know that we have made enormous progress, with 21 Senate co-sponsors and 70 Assembly co-sponsors, we have officially changed the climate in Albany for domestic workers rights. We are finally in a place where the Bill of Rights could pass if we continue to organize, show the breadth of support that exists for this bill, and express the urgency of basic respect and protections for this important workforce. Domestic workers have organized tirelessly, and waited 5 long years since this Bill was first introduced in the NY State legislature, and over 70 years since their exclusion from labor laws. There are only three weeks left in the legislative session.
Please get involved now, and help us in one of the following ways.
We need 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@domesticworkersunited.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' 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
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