“WALMART: SUPERCENTER” by alpha geek is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
ABB Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Walmart
On May 15th, we filed a national class action lawsuit, along with our partners, on behalf of thousands of pregnant workers discriminated against by Walmart. The complaint alleges that Walmart’s policies discriminate against pregnant workers like our client Talisa Borders, who asked to stay off tall ladders and avoid heavy lifting while pregnant and working at Walmart, but instead was pushed onto unpaid leave. Despite amendments to its policy in 2014, Walmart continues to explicitly exclude pregnancy while providing accommodations for workers with disabilities and on-the-job injuries. We won’t stop until no pregnant Walmart worker has to choose between her health and her job.
Rallying and Testifying for Workers in New York
In April, ABB testified at three separate hearings to argue for stronger legal protections, and stronger enforcement of the laws, on behalf of workers in New York who struggle to support their families while also providing care. First, we testified before the New York City Council Committee on Women’s Issues in support of legislation to promote gender and racial equality in New York City and make the municipal government a model employer for the private sector. The next day, ABB offered expert testimony at a joint hearing sponsored by the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on Human Rights, and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, to address the state of workers’ rights in New York City. Workers and advocates from across the five boroughs participated in the fully bilingual hearing, and ABB testified on the pressing need for strong enforcement of existing laws, such as the Earned Sick Time Act, as well as passage of new protections such as those proposed in the Fair Work Week package to address unpredictable and unfair scheduling practices. Finally, ABB testified at a hearing before the New York City Council Small Business Committee on potential changes to the penalties required by a variety of city laws. We also rallied with fellow advocates on May Day in support of immigrant and workers rights.
Victory for Working Famlies in Georgia
Georgia Governor Deal signed the Georgia Family Care Act into law by on May 8, 2017, after the bill passed the Georgia Legislature with strong bipartisan support. The law permits workers in Georgia who receive paid sick days to use that time to care for their family members in addition to themselves. This victory is a powerful example of the strength of strategic, persistent advocacy, and shows that success in support of working families is possible, even in a Southern state like Georgia where worker protections are often difficult to come by. A Better Balance provided support to advocates in the campaign’s early years and was instrumental in working with the coalition to expand the bill’s family definition to include tax dependents, in addition to children, spouses, grandchildren, grandparents, or parents.
More State Wins for Pregnant Workers
We have seen significant progress for pregnant workers at the state level in the past month. Vermont became the 19th state to provide stronger protections for pregnant workers when Governor Scott signed their Pregnant Workers Fairness Act into law on May 4th. ABB provided technical support and testimony to advance the bill. Next door in Massachusetts, the House voted unanimously to pass a similar bill that ABB has been advising advocates on closely since 2014. Across the country, Washington State’s legislature also passed a PWFA bill that now awaits the governor’s signature. This continued momentum puts further pressure on Congress to take up the federal PWFA, which was re-introduced last week with bi-partisan support in both chambers.
Bans on Salary History Advance in New York
Low wages in the past can lock workers into low wages in the future and perpetuate gender and race-based wage gaps. That is why ABB has been working on legislation in New York City and at the State level to prevent employers from relying on or inquiring into an applicant’s past salary. We were in Albany earlier this month to speak at a press conference in support of a statewide salary history bill we helped to draft and are leading the charge to pass this session. And on May 4th, we attended the ceremony at City Hall where Mayor de Blasio signed into law a similar bill that ABB supported with close input on language and revisions, as well as testimony, on its path to passage.
Voices from the Clinic
“Once I felt so sick that I did not have the strength to go to work as I was very sick. As any employee would do, I called in sick and my employer suspended me for a week. My employer even questioned the veracity of my situation. Thanks to a friend who helped me to find help, I found you [ABB]. You [ABB] guided me and I was able to return to work right away. Please do not be silent, look for help, we are people and as such we need respect, not injustice.”
National Peace Officers’ Memorial: ASPR Provides Public Health and Medical Support
Every day, men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line to serve and protect our communities. The National Peace Officers’ Memorial honors those men and women who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. ASPR was proud to provide public health and medical support during the event at the request of the Office of the Attending Physician to Congress and the U.S. Capitol Police. News in Pictures >>
#IAmHHS: Putting Policy to Work on the Ground
Before, during and after disasters, dedicated professionals from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services work together to help protect health and save lives. Meet one of these remarkable people: Rachel Kaul. When disaster strikes, Rachel helps identify where the needs are and quickly mobilizes resources to meet them. After 9-11, she was there. After Hurricane Katrina, she was there. And she continues to serve during disasters and every day. Learn More >>
How Students Can Empower Their Communities to Protect Against Zika
If you work with students, then you probably know that they offer unique connections with their communities, are better able to communicate with their fellow students, and motivate action among their peers. Find out how you can help inspire the students in your community to learn about Zika and teach others. Learn more >>
Preparing to Meet the Needs of Pediatric Patients in Disasters: Progress and the Path Forward
The Flint water crisis and the Zika outbreak have highlighted ways that children can be especially vulnerable when disaster strikes. Find out what actions HHS and its partners are taking to protect children’s health during and after disasters and emergencies. Learn More >>
Preparing to Keep Everyone Healthy in a Disaster: Delivering Gender-Informed Services
During National Women’s Health Week, many people and organizations are taking a look at concrete steps they can take to improve women’s health. If you are a public health or emergency planner, take a few minutes to think about steps you can take now to decrease gender-based violence, ensure equal access to services, and address the special concerns of at-risk groups when disaster strikes. Learn More >>
Despite millions of people calling for the FCC to protect the open internet the FCC commission voted to move forward on repealing net neutrality protections. This process will last several months so we still have time to stop them!
“The internet is the repository of all human knowledge—and goats singing Taylor Swift songs,” said John Oliver on his “Last Week Tonight” show this weekend. Oliver pleaded with his viewers to flood the FCC with comments to protect consumers’ rights to a free and open internet, and I am with him.Why? Because it’s true. The internet is a great place for many things—from animal videos to news and education to small business startups and our economy as we know it — we can’t afford to let FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s roll back Obama-era net neutrality protections.
Net neutrality protects our ability to access the content we want on the internet – and we must stand up for it.
Net neutrality keeps internet service providers from picking and choosing the speed and content you can access based on big corporations’ spending. It’s about protecting consumers’ ability to access affordable high-speed internet – which is especially critical for low-income families.
Last time we won net neutrality protections because millions of Americans made their voices heard. We have to do it again. The internet needs us.
Trump is once again putting the powerful ahead of ordinary Americans. His administration is allowing the FCC to give big corporations what they ask for — even if it hurts consumers.
The open internet is our platform for free speech, education, and innovation. John Oliver and I agree – everyone needs to stand together and protect it.
Tell ExxonMobil and Chevron to take real climate action.
The fossil fuel industry has been manufacturing climate disinformation for decades. Business as usual isn’t the answer. Tell fossil fuel giants ExxonMobil and Chevron to stop spreading climate deception and start taking climate action.
ACTION ALERT
Keep the pressure on companies to stop climate denial and take climate action
Later this month Exxon Mobil and Chevron, two companies responsible for decades of heat-trapping emissions and deception on climate science, will be in the spotlight as they hold their annual shareholder meetings. These meetings are a critical opportunity to turn up the heat and demand that these fossil fuel giants stop blocking climate action.
Since the 1980s, these companies have hid behind trade associations and front groups, such as the American Legislative Exchange Council, to oppose common-sense emissions reductions and confuse the public with manufactured dissent and debate on climate change. Many of ExxonMobil’s and Chevron’s own shareholders are calling on them to stop spreading climate deception and start taking responsibility for the damage they’ve done to our planet. We need your help to drive this message home.
We cannot afford to let the fossil fuel industry continue “business as usual.” The safety of our communities depends on these companies facing reality and the global call to climate action. As they prepare for their shareholder meetings this month, they need to hear from you to be held accountable to supporting global climate action.
Photo: Activists organized by Mazaska Talks and 350 Seattle shut down 12 JPMorgan Chase branches in Seattle to demand the defunding of the Keystone XL pipeline.]
Today, we showed up at the JPMorgan Chase shareholder meeting to send a message to the whole finance community: Stop Banking on Human Rights Violations and Climate Chaos.
We delivered a letter on behalf of 20 Indigenous rights and environmental organizations directly to JPMorgan Chase leadership.
We are demanding that the finance community stop bankrolling projects like the Dakota Access pipeline, the KXL pipeline, and the pending Trans Mountain pipeline. These pipelines will wreak havoc on communities, pollute critical water sources, destroy our climate, and trample the rights of Indigenous communities and local residents across the continent. But massive energy giants such as TransCanada depend on banks to fund their disastrous projects.
Tell Banks to Say No to Tar Sands: More than 120 First Nations and Tribes have signed a treaty opposing all tar sands pipelines — one of the dirtiest forms of oil on the planet!
Tell Banks to Say No to Human Rights Abuses: The conflict over the Dakota Access pipeline resulted in despicable violence and abuses — and these will continue as communities fight for their clean air and clean water.
Tell Banks to Say No to Indigenous Rights Violations: These projects continue the shameful history of trampling on Indigenous land rights and broken promises.
Ruth Breech
Be a Seed for Change 
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