MEDIA ALERT FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 @ 10:15AM
CONTACT: Khanh Weinberg (408) 678-3364 or (408) 921-0098
#Overtime4Caregivers
OAKLAND COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND HOME CAREGIVERS, PRESS GOV. BROWN TO KEEP PROMISE OF EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THE LAW
Across California, Pressure Builds for Gov. Brown to Include Care Workers for Elderly, People with Disabilities in Overtime Protections
Oakland, CA – Community groups are joining caregivers who provide in-home support for elderly Californians and people with disabilities as they call on Gov. Jerry Brown to keep his promise to treat their work equally under the law.
As part of the 2014-15 budget agreement, Governor Brown agreed to implement new federal rules that finally brought in-home care under the Federal Labor Standards Act, after 70 years of unfair exclusion. But on the brink of this historic step forward, Governor Brown is now using an out-of-state legal challenge as an excuse not to fulfill his commitment to give caregivers – who are mostly women and women of color – the same overtime protection as all other workers.
Community leaders and caregivers are coming together in Oakland, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Bakersfield and San Bernardino, signaling growing support for workers in their struggle to attain equal treatment under the law. Last week, workers launched a vigil that continues daily outside Gov. Brown’s Capitol Office in Sacramento and state legislators signed a letter to Brown calling on him to keep his promise of equal treatment for caregivers.
WHO: In Home Supportive Services Caregivers
Community leaders
Labor leaders
WHAT: Demand Governor Brown keep the promise of equal treatment for caregivers
WHEN: Wednesday, February 11 @ 10:15 a.m.
WHERE: Elihu M. Harris Building
1515 Clay Street
Oakland, CA 94612
VISUALS: Over 50 people, banners, signs.
# # #
The Service Employees International Union is an organization of 2.1 million members united by the belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide. SEIU is dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society.
For more information, visit www.seiu521.org
