http://domesticworkersunited.org/ Domestic Workers United (DWU) organizes to build power, establish fair labor standards, and raise the level of respect for domestic workers. DWU is led by a Steering Committee of domestic workers. en-us matt@helen-marie.com matt@helen-marie.com Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:42:01 -0400 PHP Framework http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/59 Aug 31, 2010 NY1 News Reporting by: Bobby Cuza Domestic workers in New York are now guaranteed more rights than anywhere in the nation. Governor David Paterson signed the Domestic Workers' Rights bill into law Tuesday morning. It guarantees overtime pay, a minimum of one day off every seven days, three days of paid leave per year, and protections against sexual harassment and racial discrimination. The bill also mandates that a feasibility study be done to see if there is a possibility of these workers unionizing. The law covers the estimated 270,000 domestic workers – including nannies, housekeepers and caregivers – employed statewide, and is being hailed as a civil rights victory since the majority of the workers are not only women, but also women of color. "They are the structure and function of our society," Paterson said. "They have been the skeleton and underpinning of our success. They are the wind beneath our wings. And we have totally disrespected them,... http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/59 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/58 History was made today. Governor Paterson signed the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights into law this morning, Tuesday, August 31st! About 200 domestic workers, supporters, and allies attended the ceremony in Harlem, along with bill sponsors Keith Wright and Diane Savino. New York 1 News Reports: "Domestic workers in New York are now guaranteed more rights than anywhere in the nation. Governor David Paterson signed the Domestic Workers' Rights bill into law this morning." http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/58 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/56 The moment is finally here. Governor Paterson will indeed be signing the Bill of Rights into law this coming Tuesday at 11am!! After 400 years in the shadows of slavery..... 75 years of invisibility and exclusion under US labor law..... 6 years of a hard-fought struggle in the New York State legislature..... Domestic workers are finally gaining rights, respect, and recognition. Details about the bill signing ceremony to follow. http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/56 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/55 Domestic Workers United's 10th Anniversary Gala will be held the evening of November 13th. You can RSVP and purchase your tickets here: https://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5774/event/dwu10thanniversary http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/55 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/54 For more information and the most recent updates, check out DWU on Blogspot, Facebook and Twitter! (Click more for links) http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/54 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/53 NEW YORK BECOMES FIRST STATE TO RECOGNIZE DOMESTIC WORKERS Domestic Workers Make History On July 1, the New York State Legislature passed the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (A1470B/S2311E). After 6 years of organizing by domestic workers together with unions, employers, clergy and community organizations, the New York State Legislature came down on the side of justice. Finally, domestic workers are recognized as real workers under the law. Governor Paterson on the Bill of Rights: "The bill passed today reflects an agreement reached earlier this week between my office and both houses of the Legislature. I am glad to have been a part of this process, and congratulate the sponsors, Assemblyman Keith Wright and Senator Diane Savino, who should feel justifiably proud of their achievement. Most of all, I must express my gratitude to the thousands of individual domestic workers who organized and fought for this legislation. They provide all of us with an example of how individuals can, through... http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/53 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/52 Yesterday in the early morning, about 100 domestic workers and supporters got on buses headed for Albany to urge senators one last time to vote YES for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights during today’s session. With truth on our side, we educated thousands of Albany residents and legislative workers about the conditions faced by domestic workers and the urgency of basic rights and protections. We hit senate offices to remind them about the vote, to address any last-minute concerns, and to urge them to vote in favor of the bill. After two hours of deliberation, filled with impassioned and moving speeches by members of the Senate recalling the struggles of their mothers and grandmothers who had been domestic workers, desiring to reclaim New York’s pioneering leadership in workers’ rights, and highlighting the moral significance of this bill, the New York State Senate finally came down on the right side of history. Last night, on June 1, the New York State Senate voted 33-28 to pass... http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/52 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400 http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/51 Domestic Workers United, The Foundry Theatre, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, and the Mission and Social Justice Department of The Riverside Church cordially invite you to: DIGNITY OVERDUE: STAND TOGETHER FOR THE DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS TOWN HALL MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2010 7PM-9PM (Doors open at 6:30 p.m) Join legendary Civil Rights activist Esther Cooper Jackson, Senator Diane Savino, Assemblyman Keith Wright, CUNY distinguished lecturer Ed Ott, activist and scholar Frances Fox Piven, 1199 SEIU President George Gresham, Working Families Party Executive Director Dan Cantor... http://domesticworkersunited.org//shownews/51 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400