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USA: NDWA Statement on the Harris vs. Quinn Supreme Court Case Decision

USA: NDWA Statement on the Harris vs. Quinn Supreme Court Case Decision

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by IDWFED published Jun 30, 2014 12:00 AM
Contributors: Andrea Cristina Mercado/NDWA
On Monday, June 30, 2014, the Supreme Court made a decision that threatens the fundamental right of state-funded home care workers in Illinois to make progress towards living wage jobs.

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Photo: Mark Fischer/FLICKR
On Monday, June 30, 2014, the Supreme Court made a decision that threatens the fundamental right of state-funded home care workers in Illinois to make progress towards living wage jobs. The organization of home care workers has occurred over the last 30 years, by workers who diligently organized to find a pathway out of poverty toward meaningful economic opportunity. As an undervalued, under-recognized workforce, their access to wages that lift them above the poverty line and access to critical workforce training and career ladders has been a result of organizing and working together.

Eighty-nine percent of home care workers are women, and 46% are people of color. The average wage of home care workers is $16,800 and 46% must regularly rely on public benefits for survival. Through their hard work and care, home care workers enable millions of seniors and people with disabilities to live independently in their homes and communities. They offer peace of mind to millions of families who count on them to ensure the safety, health and well being of their loved ones. By valuing caregivers, we value the dignity of people with disabilities and elders who need caregiving assistance to live independent, full lives.

This decision comes at unique moment. Every day, 10,000 people turn 65 in America. As a result of advances in health care and technology, people are living longer than ever. We are going to need millions more home care workers to support our rapidly growing population of older adults. We should be focused on making these jobs quality jobs for the future, with better wages, and more support. Now more than ever, organizing will be critical, as it will ensure dignity for this growing workforce and their families and stable, quality care for seniors and people with disabilities who want to live independently at home.

Domestic workers work behind closed doors in homes across the country. We know all too well that home care workers' isolation can lead to vulnerability, abuse and exploitation. Having the ability to come together and organize with consumers and employers will be key to building the 21st century care workforce this country needs. Now is the time for real solutions with care givers at the forefront of this change. Despite this decision, we are confident that home care workers, domestic workers, and all of the important low-wage workers who provide the invisible infrastructure upon which our economy rests, will continue to organize to make these jobs quality jobs of the future.

Andrea Cristina Mercado
Campaign Director
National Domestic Workers Alliance

Photo: Mark Fischer/FLICKR

Source: Andrea Cristina Mercado/NDWA

Story Type: News

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