Tell the Congress to Give Dignity and Rights to Home Care Workers Now

For decades, homecare workers have had the same status under federal law as casual teenage baby sitters. They have been denied minimum wage and overtime protections under the US Fair Labor Standards Act because, historically, they’ve been understood to be just “companions."

At the 2010 AFSCME convention, we united to ask the Obama administration to correct this historic injustice. President Obama and Labor Secretary Solis heard us. In December, the President announced a proposed new rule with AFSCME home care workers standing at his side.

The “public comment” period for the proposal rule was complete on March 21 and now opponents are working to stop the Department of Labor from moving forward to finalize the rule. They’re mobilizing their friends in Congress. We can’t let the rule go down in a barrage of lies and lobbying.

There are two actions you can take to protect the rights of home care workers:

1. Tell your Congressperson to OPPOSE legislation (HR 3066) that attacks the proposed rule.
2. Tell your Senator to OPPOSE legislation (S. 3280) that attacks the proposed rule and instead they should stand with home care workers who deserve respect for work they do.