Domestic Workers United

Domestic Workers United is a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of domestic workers in the United States. Founded in 2000 by Ai-jen Poo and Barbara Young, the organization is based in New York City and has been instrumental in pushing for better working conditions, higher wages, and greater protections for domestic workers, including nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers. Domestic Workers United has worked closely with other organizations, such as the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Service Employees International Union, to advance the rights of domestic workers. The organization has also been supported by prominent figures, including Angela Davis, Gloria Steinem, and Dolores Huerta.

● History

The history of Domestic Workers United is closely tied to the broader labor movement in the United States, which has been shaped by the efforts of organizations such as the AFL-CIO and the Congress of Industrial Organizations. The organization was founded in response to the growing need for better working conditions and greater protections for domestic workers, who are often excluded from labor laws and workers' rights protections. Domestic Workers United has been influenced by the work of earlier labor activists, including Mary Harris Jones, Eugene Debs, and Cesar Chavez. The organization has also been shaped by the experiences of domestic workers themselves, including Myrlie Evers-Williams, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Shirley Chisholm.

● Organization

Domestic Workers United is a member-led organization that is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from various labor unions, including the Service Employees International Union and the United Steelworkers. The organization has a strong partnership with other advocacy groups, such as the National Organization for Women, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the NAACP. Domestic Workers United has also worked with prominent community organizations, including the Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the League of United Latin American Citizens, and the National Council of La Raza. The organization's leadership includes Ai-jen Poo, who has been recognized for her work with awards such as the MacArthur Fellowship and the Ford Foundation's Leadership for a Changing World award.

● Advocacy

Domestic Workers United has been a leading advocate for the rights of domestic workers, including the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in New York State and the California Domestic Worker Bill of Rights. The organization has worked closely with lawmakers, including Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Lee, and Rosa DeLauro, to advance legislation that protects the rights of domestic workers. Domestic Workers United has also partnered with other organizations, such as the National Employment Law Project and the Economic Policy Institute, to push for greater protections for workers, including paid sick leave and minimum wage increases. The organization has been supported by prominent figures, including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris.

● Impact

The impact of Domestic Workers United has been significant, with the organization helping to secure better working conditions and greater protections for thousands of domestic workers across the United States. The organization's advocacy efforts have helped to raise awareness about the issues faced by domestic workers, including wage theft, sexual harassment, and lack of benefits. Domestic Workers United has also helped to build a stronger, more inclusive labor movement, with partnerships with organizations such as the AFL-CIO and the Change to Win Federation. The organization's work has been recognized with awards such as the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award and the Letty Cottin Pogrebin Award for women's rights activism.

● Notable Campaigns

Domestic Workers United has been involved in several notable campaigns, including the We Belong Together campaign, which brought together domestic workers, immigrant rights activists, and women's rights advocates to push for comprehensive immigration reform. The organization has also been a key partner in the Caring Across Generations campaign, which seeks to improve the working conditions and benefits for caregivers and domestic workers. Domestic Workers United has worked with other organizations, such as the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Hand in Hand domestic employers association, to promote greater understanding and respect for domestic workers. The organization's campaigns have been supported by prominent figures, including Oprah Winfrey, Alicia Keys, and America Ferrera. Category:Labor organizations