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 23 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’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
Home 
Official Website 