domestic workers united

The last night of discussions on poverty in America—”The Fight of the Poor”—directs attention to groups and communities organizing a movement to end poverty across the country. The segment includes interviews and discussion of the United Workers in Baltimore, The Coalition of Immokalee Workers in Florida, Domestic Workers United in New York, Direct Action Welfare Group in West Virginia and Iraq Veterans Against the War, The Vermont Workers Center, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign.

Yvonne, a live-in nanny and member of Domestic Workers United shares stories that illustrate the need for domestic workers to have equal labor protections and benefits-- two things that they are currently not getting under the law. The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights would change that.

Christine Lewis, an organizer with Domestic Workers United, speaks about the conditions that domestic workers face on a daily basis and shares a political analysis of the role that domestic work plays in our economy.

This interview was conducted by Kistine Carolan, and produced by Milena Velis. It originally aired on Labor Justice Radio, which can be heard every Monday from 7-8pm on 88.1FM WPEB in West Philadelphia.

On this show:

+ Organizers from around the world gather to strategize building a movement to end poverty.
+ Domestic workers fight to be protected under labor law.
+ Workers United speaks about their creation as a new union.
+ Poor & working people see loss of services under PA budget stalemate.
+ Local news and analysis from Philly's working people.

The Domestic Worker's Bill of Rights is before the New York State Senate RIGHT NOW.  Help make New York the first state in this country to respect and protect the lives and work of domestic workers.  Domestic Workers United (DWU) has worked hard the last 5 years to get this far- the New York House has passed the bill and the Governor has promised to sign it.

A number of Philadelphia groups MMP is connected with are gathered with others from around the country and the world to develop leaders of a movement to end poverty. Here is some coverage of the School in the mainstream press. 

http://wvgazette.com/News/200908090058

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/52903102.html

Stay tuned for reports from the School participants at:

http://pileadershipschool.wordpress.com/

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.

Below is a message sent out from our friends in New York City, Domestic Workers United. They have been organizing for a Domestic Worker Bill of Rights in New York State to protect the rights of domestic workers.

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Albany, New York – On Wednesday, the New York State Assembly Labor Committee approved legislation to provide comprehensive labor standards to domestic workers employed in private homes.