NATIONAL WEEK OF ACTION - April 23 - May 1, 2009

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23 Apr 2009

A NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION

STAND WITH DOMESTIC WORKERS

April 23, 2009 - May 1, 2009

Every day, 200,000 women of color domestic workers in New York make it possible for others to work. Nannies, elderly caregivers, and housekeepers take care of the most important elements of their employers' lives, and yet they are subject to some of the most vulnerable conditions facing any workforce. Hidden in private homes, excluded from the most basic labor laws (including the National Labor Relations Act), and isolated with no power or leverage to negotiate, they endure long hours, low wages and sometimes emotional and physical abuse.

For 5 years, domestic workers have come together across communities to organize for dignity and respect, and demand the passage of a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in New York State, including notice of termination, severance pay, sick days and holidays, and an annual cost of living wage increase. In the wake of the economic crisis, the conditions facing domestic workers have worsened. Facing alarming rates of lay-offs, cut wages and extended hours, without notice, severance pay or any safety net, now more than ever - domestic workers need the Bill of Rights.

In the last two months, both the Assembly and Senate Labor Committees have passed the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights out of committee. This is the moment we've been waiting for. We are calling on everyone who believes domestic work deserves respect, recognition and protection, to take action from April 23 to May 1 and to demand the New York State legislature pass the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (A1470/S2311).

The New York Domestic Workers Bill of Rights is the first legislation of its kind nationally and will set a precedent for labor standards for domestic workers around the country. The National Domestic Workers Alliance, an alliance of domestic workers organizations in 10 cities across the country, will co-sponsor the week of action and send delegates to stand with New York's domestic workers. Join the week of action and support domestic workers to reverse a long history of injustice and exploitation, and chart a future based on respect and dignity for all work.

WEEK OF ACTION -- April 23 - May 1

New York City - Long Island - Albany

........ List of Actions in Formation .......

April 23 - Thursday - Jewish Community Stands with Domestic Workers, Shalom Bayit Public Forum

7PM - Congregation B'nai Jeshurun

The Synagogue

257 West 88th Street

(between Broadway and West End Avenue)

New York, NY 10023-2106

April 25 - Saturday - March and Rally; Where Wall Street Lives and

Domestic Workers Labor

11:00 am – Upper East Side. Meet at 86th St and 5th Ave. Near the

4/5/6 Trains at 86th Street.

Exit Cuckoo - Working Theatre

Benefit Performance and Discussion on Domestic Workers Organizing

8PM - Clurman Theatre at Theatre Row

410 West 42nd St. Between 9th and 10th Avenues

- including post-performance roundtable on domestic workers organizing in New York and around the country

April 26 - Sunday - Domestic Work in the Pulpits

In churches around New York State, preachers will honor the stories of domestic workers

April 27 - Monday - National Call-in Day of Action

Stand with domestic workers by calling Albany legislators to become co-sponsors of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

Call the following legislators and say:

"My name is _________________, and I'm calling to urge you to help pass the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Bill numbers A1470/S2311 this legislative session. Tomorrow, hundreds of domestic workers and their supporters will come to Albany for a day of action and education. Please work with them to move the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to the floor for a vote."

Speaker of the Assembly Sheldon Silver: (518)-455-3791

Chair of Labor Committee Assemblywoman Susan John: (518)-455-4527

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith: (518)-455-2701

Chair of Labor Committee Senator George Onorato: (518)-455-3486

April 28 - Tuesday - DOMESTIC WORKERS TAKE ACTION IN ALBANY

10:00 am - Morning Program

11:00 am - Press Conference

11:00 - 2:00 pm - Legislative Meetings

2:00 - Rally and March

4:00 - Closing

Buses leaving NYC - 6:30 am, April 28, returning 7:30pm

From Barnes and Noble on the North Side of Union Square Park

17th Street and Union Square

take the 4/5/6/N/R/W to Union Square

A NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION- STAND WITH DOMESTIC WORKERS- April 23, 2009 - May 1, 2009

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