Leonila Vega
The Department of Labor has responded to the demands of advocates and workers by taking an initial step toward addressing the critical issue that prevents millions of direct care workers today from being afforded minimum wage and overtime protections. The Direct Care Alliance has been a strong voice in advocating for this change within DOL, among legislators and with President Obama. With workers’ support, DCA has called for an update to the antiquated and unjust rules that exclude home care workers from basic legal protections that every workforce sector enjoys. Read our official statement.
Following the Supreme Court ruling against Evelyn Coke in 2007, DCA acted swiftly by launching the “Respect for Home Care Campaign.” Since then, our members and allies have joined us in writing hundreds of letters to public officials and educating them about the needs of this invaluable workforce. Shortly after the launch of this campaign, DCA joined with Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA) to spearhead a letter, signed by over forty Members of Congress, to DOL Secretary Hilda Solis urging her take the necessary steps to address this issue. In addition, fifteen U.S. Senators also joined us in calling on DOL to take such action. We have been fortunate to count thousands of workers and dozens of organizations as allies in this effort, notably the Elder Workforce Alliance, PHI and the National Employment Law Project. Read more about our efforts here.
We thank every home care worker that has joined these efforts thus far, and we know there is a lot more to be done to ensure that this critical issue is fully addressed. I would like to thank our board for its swift leadership and action following the Supreme Court’s decision, and we ask you to join us as we continue this fight for dignity and respect for home care workers. We applaud Secretary Solis for demonstrating her continued commitment to home care workers and will continue to reach out to employers, elders and people living with disabilities to ensure that direct care workers are protected. Please join DCA and other organizations in urging DOL to follow through in securing these vital protections for workers. With your help, DCA will continue to be a leading advocate and voice for workers on this issue.
Stay tuned.
