Excluded Workers Mark 74th Anniversary of the Fair Labor Standards Act that Provides All Other American Workers Overtime, Basic Protections

Sacramento—–Today, hundreds of workers gathered at the Capitol to call for an end to 74 years of institutionalized discrimination by extending worker protections from the Fair Labor Standards Act to include two classes of workers who are still excluded from the protections because of their race and ethnicity, urging legislators in Sacramento to right this historic wrong.

Hundreds of farm and domestic workers and civil rights, community, and political leaders gathered at the Capitol today to support AB 1313 to end the current exemption of agricultural workers from hour and wage requirements and excessive overtime protections.  California NAACP Executive Director Robert Rooks, UFW President Arturo Rodriguez, and chairs of the Black and Latino legislative caucuses Curren Price and Ricardo Lara joined with hundreds of workers whose lives would be directly improved by these measures. (more…)

Join children of domestic workers & domestic employers, labor, interfaith, student and community allies, as we converge in Sacramento for a statewide CHILDREN’S MARCH for AB 889, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights!

Domestic workers are mothers and grandmothers who do the work that makes all other work possible!

Join us as we call for the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, Assembly Bill 889. The Children’s March and press conference will be followed by lobby visits and a children’s festival.

Visit www.domesticworkers.org for more information on Bill AB889!

Event Information
When: Tues. January 24, 2011, 10:00am – 3:00pm
(Caravans depart from Oakland and San Francisco @ 8:00am & return by 5:00pm)
Where: State Capitol Building
West Side Steps (10th St. between N St. and L St.) Sacramento, CA (more…)

The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) adopts resolution in support of Domestic Workers & AB 889!

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF DOMESTIC WORKERS & AB 889 THE DOMESTIC WORKER BILL OF RIGHTS

WHEREAS, California’s domestic workers—comprised of housekeepers, nannies, and caregivers for children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly—work in private households to care for the health, safety and well-being of the most important aspects of Californians’ lives, their families and homes; and

WHEREAS, Domestic workers play a critical role in California’s economy, working to ensure the health and prosperity of California families and freeing others to participate in the workforce, which is increasingly necessary in these difficult economic times; and

WHEREAS, Domestic workers across the state of California have joined together to form the California Domestic Workers’ Coalition to achieve social and economic justice and secure much-needed protections for domestic workers under California’s labor laws; and

WHEREAS, The National Domestic Workers Alliance is organizing domestic workers across the United States to end the exclusion of domestic workers from federal labor protections, and the International Domestic Workers Network, made up of domestic worker organizations across the world, has formed to fight exploitation and abuse by creating and advancing international standards in the industry; and (more…)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Committee approves sensible clear guidelines benefiting domestic workers and employers

SACRAMENTO ­ Today the California Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee voted 5-2 in favor of AB 889. The bill ­ also known as the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, extends basic, humane labor protections to thousands of nannies, caregivers, and house cleaners and improves the quality of care for California’s families.

Sponsored by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), the bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for approval.

Co-sponsored by Assemblymembers Allen (D- Sonoma), Cedillo (D- LA), Ma (D- San Francisco), Fuentes (D-San Fernando), Ma (D-San Francisco), Monning (D- Santa Cruz) and Senator De Léon. The bill seeks to remove the exclusion of domestic workers from basic wage and hour protections which the vast majority of California workers already enjoy. The current exemptions for domestic workers are confusing and leave well-meaning employers vulnerable to liability. AB 889 sets industry-wide standards that will help keep the industry above-ground. (more…)

FAJ’s organizer, Katie Joaquin, selected as Women’s Policy Institute Fellow.

Congratulations Katie!

FAJ’s lead organizer, Katie Joaquin was recently chosen to be a Fellow at the Women’s Policy Institute (WPI) under the domestic worker justice issue. What an honor! WPI is highly respected for its goal of increasing the number of women involved in the making of public policy. WPI’s overarching purpose is to help in the development of policies in California that “reflect the needs and realities of low-income women and families.” (more…)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–Domestic Workers Celebrate Victory in New York, Bill Ends a Legacy of Discrimination: Bay Area Nannies, Housecleaners and Caregivers Hope California will be next

San Francisco, CA–On Tuesday, August 31st, Housekeepers, nannies and caregivers celebrated the historic Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (A.1470B/S.2311E) bill signing in New York. This landmark legislation, the first of its kind in the nation, guarantees privately-employed nannies, housekeepers, and elderly caregivers in New York benefits such as paid leave, overtime and protection from discrimination (see NYTimes article here). Bay Area domestic workers support the New York bill and advocate for similar legislation in California. (more…)