Obama to extend wage law to cover 2 mln home care aides
Source: Reuters
Obama to extend wage law to cover 2 mln home care aides
Source: Reuters - Tue, 17 Sep 2013 07:08 PM
* Announcement made by newly installed Labor Secretary Perez
* AFL-CIO chief praises expansion of labor protections
By Amanda Becker
Sept 17 (Reuters) - The Obama administration said on Tuesday it will extend the protection of U.S. minimum wage and overtime law to almost 2 million home health workers who assist the elderly and disabled.
Home health aides, personal care aides and certified nursing assistants will be brought under the coverage of the Fair Labor Standards Act, effective in January 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor said in a statement.
"Today we are taking an important step toward guaranteeing that these professionals receive the wage protections they deserve while protecting the right of individuals to live at home," said Thomas Perez, who was sworn in on Sept. 4 as President Barack Obama's new labor secretary.
There are an estimated 1.9 million "direct care" workers in the United States. They are typically employed by home healthcare agencies, the department said. Their median pay in 2010 was $9.70 per hour, or about $20,000 per year.
Read more: http://www.trust.org/item/20130917190032-xwiiv/?source=search
snort
(2,334 posts)I sense a fantastic new career path!
Skittles
(153,169 posts)those folk have worked under seemingly no protection at all
deurbano
(2,895 posts)when he first proposed to extend this protection to home health aides. In the last few years, she has been very involved in domestic workers' rights, especially in California (where we live).
http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/photos/slideshows/20111215-solis-obama.htm
(She's in the second and third photos-- the young woman in the wheelchair.)
Exciting day!
frazzled
(18,402 posts)I applaud her work. And so glad she got to attend that WH event!
deurbano
(2,895 posts)My husband (her dad) accompanied her to Washington, and he got to attend the event, too. He was planning on sending back photos to me from his iPhone, but my mom called and said the press conference was on CNN and MSNBC, so I was able to watch, too!
she's awesome and has GREAT HAIR to boot!!!
deurbano
(2,895 posts)And she does have pretty great hair. I will pass along that compliment along to both my daughter and husband, since my husband is the one who helped get her ready for the event. Since she is quadriplegic, she needs someone to fix her hair (etc.), and usually that person is me, so I was a little worried how everything would turn out-- meeting the President, meeting the Labor Secretary, being photographed, and possibly being on TV! (Normally, for something that important, we would both go with her to Washington, but one of us needed to be around for our younger kids who were attending the last week of school before winter break-- with performances, finals, etc.)
Skittles
(153,169 posts)and for a wonderful cause
Judi Lynn
(160,555 posts)Last edited Tue Sep 17, 2013, 07:12 PM - Edit history (1)
for the progress this far, and very best wishes for more success to her, and other rights workers. Theirs is an occupation which deserves regard and gratitude from everyone.
I truly don't believe this would ever have happened with any Republican in the President's office.
Thank you for adding the photos of your tremendous daughter!
deurbano
(2,895 posts)Yes, I can't quite envision Romney or McCain doing this!
It was really interesting for my husband (in the audience at the press conference) to talk to the lawyers and other employees from the Department of Labor. They said they spend so much time working on things that never come to fruition, and for many of them, this was their first time at at such an event at the White House. They were thrilled!
Sivafae
(480 posts)That is so awesome. I will have to thank her when I see her again as I work as an Attendant for a another woman who was on the Area Board 5 who recently resigned--and a childhood friend of your daughter.
Your daughter's activism for people with disabilities is inspiring.
deurbano
(2,895 posts)And thank you very much for your kind words!
tabasco
(22,974 posts)How does this fit into his evil scheme to give all the money to the 1% ers?
nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)thing, etc.
direct care givers are one of the worst treated professions regarding sick time. so insane. they care for our most fragile loved ones. they're the last people who should have to choose between keeping a job and calling in sick.
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)along with paid vacation time, too
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)especially seeing as how US minimum wage is $7.25 an hour and the median wage for home care aids is is $9.70 an hour, I'm sure they're just thrilled with this
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)are paid above minimum. Also, the extension of overtime regulations is likely to be welcome to many.
This is a step in the right direction, and I'm glad for it.
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)don't be surprised if in some places the new regs aren't used as an excuse to lower the wages of care givers, at least new hires, under the "well Obama said so" clause
Jackpine Radical
(45,274 posts)What we really need is a revitalized labor movement in this country, and any improvements in the lot of the people at the bottom of the wage scale will be in the pittance category until that happens. Nevertheless, it's better to see some slight amelioration in their conditions instead of the increased pain the Republicans would gladly inflict on them.
tabasco
(22,974 posts)I knew the crybaby brigade would make this bad news somehow.
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)and I'm a cry baby
tabasco
(22,974 posts)and portray it as bad news. So....if the bib fits.....
azurnoir
(45,850 posts)even though I don't remember asking for one, however as I told another poster this one could also be used to lower the wages of new hires in the home care industry, perhaps things like paid vacation time, sick days, guaranteed higher wages would help too
Cha
(297,349 posts)Kingofalldems
(38,461 posts)Ayn Rand republicans serve the rich.
grilled onions
(1,957 posts)There are so many who can actually stay in their homes IF they have good care. For many it's a chance to stay with their pets, a world they have had for decades. These workers do so much and so many show such compassion for their patients. As this world ages we will need more such workers and it's time to start showing them with respect for doing such important work. It's not easy work and far too many think it's little more than emptying bed pans. No two days are the same but they make such a huge impact on their charges. For many the workers are their only companion. I applaud these workers.
Skeeter Barnes
(994 posts)Trucking companies can work hourly paid drivers up to the maximum allowed per DOT regs and pay no overtime, if they want. I know Southeastern freight lines does this. One of their drivers told me they work 12-14 hours per day but it's all straight time. That is the next thing that needs to go.
Bennyboy
(10,440 posts)and this is good news.
mucifer
(23,554 posts)It's not just the physical part of the job. It's very emotional. Especially spending long hours with people who have trouble moving and or communicating their needs. It's also a very isolating career to be one on one with someone.