JCUA and the Illinois Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Campaign
This presentation will: Explain the purpose of the IL Domestic Workers Bill of Rights and JCUA s work on the campaign Describe what dignity, respect, and power mean for IL s domestic workforce, and what it looks like in our own community Discuss how this campaign connects to our Jewish texts and values
What is JCUA?
The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs is the Jewish voice for social justice in Chicago. JCUA and its members combat systemic inequality in Chicago through issue-based campaigns, community investment, and bridge-building between the Jewish community and those challenged by poverty and racism.
What does organizing with JCUA look like? Sometimes it looks like this...and sometimes it looks like this
1500 The number of JCUA Members as of February, 2017 Our members drive all avenues of our work, directing the course of JCUA s Jewish, social justice voice in Chicago.
How we pick organizing campaigns We always ask: Does the campaign... Address an issue from a root-causes approach? Build JCUA? Resonate with Jewish themes and experiences? Have strong prospects for victory? Uniquely benefit from our involvement?
And that s why we joined the coalition for...
The Illinois Domestic Workers Bill of Rights
Who are domestic workers? Caregivers Nannies Housekeepers Many others who work in the home of their employer Domestic workers do the the work that makes all other work possible.
What is the history of domestic workers in the United States? In colonial America, domestic work was done primarily by enslaved and indentured women Later, new immigrants to the U.S. became the second most-common population in the domestic workforce 1935 National Labor Relations Act (providing the right to unionize and collective bargaining) and 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act (providing basic protections such as minimum wage and the 40 hour week) both excluded domestic workers The impact of these acts can still be found at the state level
What does the bill amend? The bill includes domestic workers in labor protection acts from which they have historically been excluded: IL Minimum Wage Act IL Human Rights Act IL One Day Rest in Seven Act IL Wages of Women and Minors Act
Domestic Workers gain the rights to: Payment no less than the state minimum wage Recourse for sexual harassment One day of rest in seven for those working for a single employer 20+ hours/week What do these amendments change?
Illinois Domestic Workers Coalition National Domestic Workers Alliance - Illinois Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE) ARISE Chicago Heartland Alliance for Human Rights and Human Needs Illinois AFL-CIO Jewish Council on Urban Affairs Latino Union Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana Women Employed + 50 endorsing organizations
What does JCUA do as part of this coalition? Senator Ira Silverstein (D) Representative Barbara Flynn Currie (D) Set up and attended an in-district meeting Supporting coalition-wide events Had constituents make friendly calls Meet in-person IL Domestic Workers Convention Coalition-wide victory celebrations Trips to Springfield to lobby representatives Synagogue Presentations (like this one!)
History of HB 1288 2011: Initial bill introduced by Sen. Silverstein. Not passed. 2013: Comprehensive bill introduced. Not passed. Women Employed, Shriver Center, and Heartland reach out to Silverstein to try again. Latino Union brought on board to strategize with workers. Along with ARISE and SEIU. Spring 2015: HB1288 passes in House with bipartisan support 2014: Rep. Hernandez brought on as the House sponsor Bill restructured to its current form (4 amendments) August 12, 2016 Governor Rauner signs Bill into law!! Spring 2016: HB1288 passes in the Senate with unanimous bipartisan support May 2016: Bill returns to the House for amendment concurrence January 2017: Law takes effect
Victory!!
Decades after the passage of the 1938 federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which excluded domestic workers and was mimicked by many states, including Illinois, Gov. Rauner signed House Bill 1288 into law on August 12, granting Illinois domestic workers the same protections that other workers have had for generations. After a five year campaign by the Illinois Domestic Workers Coalition, Illinois home cleaners, nannies, and home care workers will now have basic workplace protections under state law.
50% While only six states have Domestic Worker legislation, because of the high concentrations of Domestic Workers in certain geographic areas, now over 50% of Domestic Workers in the United States have basic workplace protections!
Coalition Victory Party! October 30, 2016
Why is this a Jewish issue? Historically, Jews were very involved in the US Labor Movement Jewish texts outline numerous rights for workers such as: Right to Prompt Payment Limit on the Hours of Work Supremacy of Local Custom preventing employers from diminishing a workforce s already established wages and benefits. Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor, nor rob him...
Mishnah Bava Metzia 7:1 One who hires workers and instructs them to begin work early and to stay late in a place in which it is not the custom to begin work early and to stay late, the employer may not force them to do so. In a place in which it is the custom to feed the workers, he must do so. In a place in which it is the custom to distribute sweets, he must do so.
Leviticus 19:13 You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning.
Deuteronomy 24:15 Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
Chosen Mishpat 231:28 The Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) says that just as the residents of a city may set regulations, so can the members of a trade group. Our law acknowledges the right of members of a particular trade to organize together into a guild or union. In fact, such a union is granted the status of a kind of community, including limited authority to regulate wage rates and working conditions subject of course to appropriate community oversight to prevent abuses.
Employer Guidelines
Do you communicate clearly and openly? Feeling welcome, comfortable, and respected in your home Clearly communicated expectations A written agreement outlining responsibilities (available in employee s native language) Check-in regularly to offer guidance/appreciation Finding ways to effectively navigate language barriers Respect status as professional worker
Do you pay fair wages? Do you pay your employee a living wage? Increased wages with increased responsibilities Annual raise with cost-of-living adjustment rate Considering transportation costs Providing petty cash for work related expenses
Do you provide time off and other benefits? Providing adequate break time Provide two or more weeks of paid vacation Standard eight paid government holidays Sick leave and personal days Helping your employee access adequate healthcare
Is your home a healthy workplace? Offering non-toxic products Access to kitchen facilities Protections from aggressive pets Home free from harassment/discrimination of any kind Appropriate and respectful supervision
What if you hire through an agency? Have you asked the agency the following questions? Let the agency know that these factors are important to you and impact your choice of an agency: How much do you pay your workers per hour? Does the employee get to 100% of any tips I provide Do you provide pay for sick days, holidays, vacations, travel time, and overtime? Do you provide training, regular raises, healthcare benefits, and worker s compensation?
What is JCUA doing and how you can help Be a part of the cultural shift to ethically and fairly treat Domestic Workers as any other employee Join JCUA and continue our work on this and many other campaigns Sign a pledge card Host a Shabbat Salon to educate your friends and family on this important issue
Join JCUA today to be a part of the fight for the IL Domestic Workers Bill of Rights! jcua.org/membership
Want to get involved? Get in touch! Emma Drongowski Emma@jcua.org 312.663.0960 x102