On this Labor Day let's all take a pledge to respect all women and the work that they do.
We can start by acknowledging the $47 billion in unpaid work women produce in California annually and the $16 Trillion produced worldwide.
It's time for our work to be economically counted. We can continue by working to ensure equal dignity and rights to Domestic Workers, Early Education and Childcare Workers, Food and All other Service Workers. Each of needs to make this pledge
- Because women represent nearly two-thirds of all minimum wage workers in this country and in this state, and we are still waiting for a living wage.
- Because we know that true prosperity for everyone will occur when we equally value early education and childcare and thereby equally value every child.
- Because true prosperity for everyone is a living wage that includes universal healthcare and a defined benefit pension.
Because we know true prosperity for everyone means an economy that recognizes and values everyone's economic contributions.We need to make this pledge in earnest because we still live in a society that over values traits and jobs labeled masculine and undervalues traits and jobs labeled feminine. Because we still live in a society that pays a plumber $100 an hour yet pays the person who cares for our children and our aging parents just $10 an hour. Each of us needs to think about that on this labor day. Why do we place greater value on the person who fixes our toilet over the person who cares for our children? Here in California we need and must do better.
This coming week the California Senate will be voting on AB 10 (Minimum Wage), AB 241 (Domestic Worker Bill of Rights) and AB 641 (Child Care/Family Care Providers Collective Bargaining). All three of these bills need to pass and be sent to the Governor's desk and be signed into law.
We need to know whether Jerry Brown is beginning the process of respecting women and the work that we do. Signing these three bills is a start.
Make the pledge to respect ALL women and the work that they do -- join us and the movement that will bring true prosperity for all.
For Equality & In Solidarity,
Patty Bellasalma
President, California NOW
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