The Direct Care News     transparent logo, white type
For direct care workers and their allies
 
July 2, 2013
New York City Workers Win Paid Sick Days
Paid Sick Days

New York City workers gained significant sick day rights last week, following the New York City Council's June 27th 47-4 vote to override Mayor Bloomberg's previous veto of the Paid Sick Time Act. As a result, more than one million workers in New York City will have the right to earn up to five days (40 hours) of paid sick leave per year.

 

The passage of the Paid Sick Days Act is a huge victory for eligible New York City workers, who will now be able to take time off from work to recover from sickness or to take care of family members -- without having to worry about losing their jobs or risking their financial security. Paid sick days are particularly important for direct care workers, whose typically low wages, high rates of chronic conditions and job-related injuries make it crucial for them to be able to address their own health needs without worrying about losing wages or losing their jobs -- or risking the health and safety of those for whom they provide care, services and support. Read more

Direct from Washington, D.C.
Capitol HIll
Senate Passes Immigration Reform Bill: On June 27, the U.S. Senate passed the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 (S.744) in a bipartisan vote of 68-32. The bill, which has to pass the House before becoming law, would provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, increase border security, increase "high-skilled" immigration and promote economic growth. Immigration reform may offer significant benefits to thousands of direct care workers nationwide. Email your representative or call (202) 224-3121 and ask the operator to connect you to your representative's office to urge them to support comprehensive immigration reform. 

 

New Resources Help Consumers Find Affordable Health Insurance Plans: www.HealthCare.gov and www.CiudadoDeSalud.gov have been relaunched with a 24-hour consumer call center (1.800.318.2596) to help Americans learn about their health insurance options and determine what plan is best for them. Access to quality, affordable health insurance is a key issue for the direct care workforce, as nearly one million direct care workers don't currently have health insurance. Take a minute to check out these new resources today.
Voices Institute Training Coming to Wisconsin
VI Grads at a TX Rally
VI Graduates at a rally in Texas

DCA and the Wisconsin Direct Caregiver Alliance are co-hosting the Leonila Vega Voices Institute on September 18-19, 2013 in Lake Delton, WI. The two-day training helps direct care workers develop their leadership, advocacy, and organizational development skills, so they can lead the movement to improve direct care jobs. As a part of this training, participants will go to the State Capitol to advocate for policies that will benefit direct care workers and the people they serve.

The Leonila Vega Voices Institute provides leadership and empowerment training that prepares participants to educate policymakers about the issues that are important to them, build local and statewide worker associations, and develop fundraising and public speaking skills. Click here for an application to the Wisconsin Voices Institute and learn more about the Leonila Vega Voices Institute.

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Direct from the Headlines

The Congressional Budget Office finds that the Senate immigration bill would lower the country's deficit by $197 billion over ten years. 

 

New Mexico Direct Caregiver Coalition's Adrienne Smith speaks with Santa Fe Public Radio about the caregiver movement in New Mexico. 

 

A report from the Center for American Progress spotlights the contributions of immigrants and their children to the American workforce. 

 

Huffington Post blog from NELP on why home care workers can't wait for minimum wage and overtime protections.   

The Direct Care Alliance is the national advocacy voice of direct care workers in long-term care. We empower workers to speak out for better wages, benefits, respect, and working conditions, so more people can commit to direct care as a career. We also convene powerful allies nationwide to build consensus for change. 

If you have comments on this issue of The Direct Care News or ideas for future issues, please contact David Ward at 212-730-0741 or [email protected].