Daily Archives: 03/09/2012

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Help Home Care Workers Get Basis Workplace Protections


National Women's Law Center
 
 
     
  Help Home Care Workers Get Basic Workplace Protections  
     
   
     
  For decades, home care workers have been underpaid and undervalued. Tell the Department of Labor to extend minimum wage and overtime protections today!  
     
  Take ActionWWW.NWLC.ORG  
     

We have labor laws for a reason — because fair workplace practices shouldn’t be options subject to the whims of an employer.

Most workers in America are entitled to minimum wage and overtime protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). But one group of workers — home care workers — is still denied these basic labor rights.

Who are these workers? They are everywhere, in nearly all of our communities. They are overwhelmingly women (about 9 out of 10) and are disproportionately women of color. These workers take care of elderly and disabled Americans — perhaps your family members — who need extra help at home. Most are employed by the fast-growing home care industry. But this difficult, extremely important work has been deprived of FLSA protections for decades.

Today, we have an opportunity to extend federal minimum wage and overtime protections to home care workers. But we need your help!

The Department of Labor has proposed a regulation that would extend federal minimum wage and overtime protections to home care workers, lifting many of them and their families out of poverty, and helping to close the wage gap for women.

For one more week, the Department is accepting comments on this regulation. The home care industry and other opponents of minimum wage and overtime protections are mobilizing in opposition. It’s vital for people who care about fair pay and economic security for women to take action and make their voices heard!

These workers have been denied these rights far too long. The clock is ticking — please, take two minutes to help the caregivers who work so hard to help our families in times of need. WWW.NWLC.ORG

The deadline for comments is next Monday, March 12. Please act now, before it’s too late!

Sincerely,
 
Joan Entmacher   Joan Entmacher
Vice President, Family Economic Security
National Women’s Law Center 		 

P.S. Please help us continue to advocate for policies that protect and improve economic security for women and their families by making a generous donation today.
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Congress: the Republican led House did 3minutes of work for We the People – the Senate &S.1813,the Surface Transportation Act – Tell Republicans to DO WHAT IS RIGHT


the Senate Convenes at 2:00pmET March 9, 2012

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will be in morning business until 4:00pm with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
  • Following morning business, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1813, the Surface Transportation Act. As previously announced, there will be no roll call votes on Monday. Senators should expect several votes beginning Tuesday morning in order to complete action on the Transportation bill.

WRAP UP

ROLL CALL VOTES

1) Vitter amendment #1535 (OCS) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 44-54

2) Baucus amendment #1825 (Rural Schools) (60-vote threshold); Agreed To: 82-16

3) Collins amendment #1660 (Boiler MACT) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 52-46

4) Coburn amendment #1738 (OMB/Duplicative Programs) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 52-46

5) Nelson(FL) amendment #1822 (RESTORE) (60-vote threshold); Agreed To: 76-22

6) Wyden amendment #1817 (Keystone Pipeline) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 33-65

7) Hoeven amendment #1537 (Keystone Pipeline) (60-vote threshold); Not Agreed To: 56-42

8) Boxer motion to waive Corker Budget Act points of order; Waived: 66-31

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Adopted S.Res.393, Designating March 11, 2012, as “World Plumbing Day”.

Completed the Rule 14 process of S.2173, National Right-to-Work Act. (DeMint)

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The next meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on March 9, 2012.

CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS

LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MARCH 9, 2012

 112TH CONGRESS – SECOND SESSION

-The Speaker announced that the House do now adjourn pursuant to a previous special order. The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 13, 2012.11:03:01 A.M. -The House received a communication from John L. Mica, Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Mr. Mica notified the House that on March 8, 2012, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider resolutions to authorize 11 lease prospectuses included in the General Services Administration‘s FY2011 and FY2012 Capital Investment and Leasing Programs and one resolution to request an information report pursuant to section 3315(a) of Title 40. The Committee adopted the resolutions on March 8, 2012.11:02:29 A.M. -PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair led the House in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.11:02:25 A.M. -The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.11:01:24 A.M. -Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.11:01:03 A.M. -The Speaker designated the Honorable Adrian Smith to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.11:00:44 A.M. -The House convened, starting a new legislative day.