Sheila Bapat

Part of the Family?: Nannies, Housekeepers, Caregivers and the Battle for Domestic Workers' Rights

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Documents the rising movement to secure rights for cooks, nannies, caregivers and other domestic workers.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Ig Publishing
• Seitenzahl: 224
• Erscheinungstermin: 10. Juni 2014
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 208mm x 139mm x 20mm
• Gewicht: 257g
• ISBN-13: 9781935439851
• ISBN-10: 1935439855
• Artikelnr.: 37725820

Autorenporträt

Sheila Bapat is an attorney and writer covering economics, labor, reproductive law and policy, and gender discrimination and disparity in politics and the workforce. She currently writes about economic justice topics for RH Reality Check, and contributes to Reuters. Her work has been published in many places, including Slate, Jacobin, and Salon. She holds a JD from the University of Pennsylvania, and currently lives in San Francisco.

Inhaltsangabe

Project Overview (subject to change)
Part of the Family? explores the movement to secure increased power and
labor protections for American workers who toil in businesses and private
homes cleaning, cooking, and caring for elders and youth. Taking a broad
look across the current U.S. labor movement which is gaining traction in a
number of sectors, this book focuses on labor deemed "domestic" in that it
occurs in both businesses (kitchen services, housekeeping) as well as
private homes. Throughout U.S. history, union protection has typically been
found for "public sphere" work, but the nation is now seeing emerging
growth in activism among those who toil to keep American businesses and
homes clean, fed, cared for and functioning. Through the lens of both
workers and activists, whose compassion is driving this movement, this book
analyzes a new era of recognition and rights for domestic laborers and the
continuing challenges this movement could face.
Chapters:
Introduction:
Domestic labor is a crucial engine of the economy. From housekeeping in
major hotel chains to nanny in private homes, the work of the domestic
sphere has never been more critical. Yet since Mary Wollstonecraft's days,
domestic work has been devalued and rendered invisible -- in society and in
the eyes of the law. The Introduction discusses the feminist underpinnings
of the current movement to recognize domestic labor and the "informal
economy" generally, and provides historical and theoretical context for why
domestic labor receives far less regard and respect than other types of
work. This section will also discuss why some domestic workers, including
who toil in private homes, have been disregarded by major labor laws like
the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act.
Chapter I. Laying the Groundwork for the Modern-day Battles
This chapter begins by offering a historical view of how well unions have
represented domestic laborers in the United States, and will then delve
into the history of the formation of key unions and community organizations
who fight for domestic laborers. Key organizations include Unite Here,
Domestic Workers United, the National Domestic Workers Alliance and other
preeminent organizations, the need for these advocacy groups in light of
the socioeconomic status of domestic workers, and how these groups'
organizing strategies range from city and state legislation, influencing
their employers' corporate boards, and strikes.
Chapter II. Domestic Workers Take Center Stage: New York, California, and
Emerging State Initiatives
Chapter Two will examine the most recent state legislative campaigns for
the rights of domestic workers who work specifically in American homes. In
particular it will examine the legislative campaigns of New York and
California to secure a domestic workers bill of rights, the coalitions of
organizers and legislative support built in each state, as well as how
aspects of this strategy could be applicable to other union groups who
represent domestic laborers going forward.
Chapter III. The Love-Led Movement
Chapter Three will profile four to six leaders of the movement including
domestic workers who are helping lead the fight, the leaders of Unite Here,
the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Jobs with Justice and Caring Across
Generations. This chapter will also offer insight into their leadership
philosophies, how this leadership has evolved and changed as compared with
mid-century U.S. union leadership, and why their work is gaining traction
with funders, organizers and policymakers, even as many union efforts
nationally have been declining.
Chapter IV. Impact of the 2012 Election and Intersection with Other U.S.
Movements
The conditions domestic workers face parallel many issues that many workers
face in today's economy: increased freelance and contract opportunities are
replacing full time positions with benefits. Chapter Four will explore how
policy solutions for domestic laborers can impact all American workers. It
will also examine cooperation with the Obama Administration, particularly
with Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, and U.S. support for domestic workers'
rights organizing at the International Labour Organisation. Finally, this
section will delve into how the domestic workers' movement intersects with
the women's rights, immigrant rights and other social movements.
Chapter V. Political Future, Resources and Organizing guide
Chapter Five reviews the challenges, as well as the potential, that lies
ahead for enhanced recognition of domestic labor as an economic engine as
well as protections for domestic workers. Enforcement challenges, poverty,
and tough immigration laws will continue to be a challenge for domestic
workers. At the same time, there is evidence of new campaigns heating up.
For example, Unite Here's campaign to enhance the status of housekeepers,
laundry workers and other sectors who engage in domestic labor through
pursuing co-determination strategies is a unique approached, though it is
rife with challenges. In addition, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Washington are all poised to launch domestic workers rights
campaigns in 2013. Finally, domestic workers rights organizers are
connecting their campaigns with the plight of elders in America -- and in
so doing, they may be creating a potentially formidable voting bloc for
progressive or Democratic candidates. This section will also provide a
comprehensive resource guide of local and national organizations, important
state legislators to target, as well as tips for domestic workers and
organizers who wish to get involved.