by James Parks, May 10, 2011
In a historic move, the AFL-CIO today signed new, separate partnership agreements with the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the National Guestworkers’ Alliance. The landmark agreements outline a framework for the groups to partner around issues of organizing, winning rights for excluded workers and building long-term relationships. The new partnership agreements kicked off the three-day Excluded Workers Congress in New York City.
The partnerships are part of the AFL-CIO’s outreach to the growing numbers of workers whose fundamental rights are not guaranteed by law and who are often excluded from safety protections and other legal protections, including the right to organize for better living standards and a voice on the job. In 2006, the AFL-CIO signed a similar agreement with workers’ centers, partnering with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). Also in 2006, the New York Taxi Workers’ Alliance became the first workers’ center to become a member of the New York City Central Labor Council.
Barbara Young, a nanny and national organizer with the National Domestic Workers Alliance, said:
We are proud to fight together with our union brothers and sisters to defend and expand the right to organize, win justice for immigrants, and ensure that one day the workers that make all other work possible–cleaning and caring for children and seniors–will have rights, respect, and recognition.
“We are signing these partnership agreements because we can’t rely on the law alone if we want to fight for the inclusion of all workers,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.
We have to work together and take collective action…We extend our hand to all the organizations of the Excluded Workers Congress and workers around the world who are part of this struggle in partnership and in solidarity.
”Starting today, guest workers and U.S. workers will work to transform workplaces across the United States together,” said Saket Soni of the National Guestworkers’ Alliance.
And starting today, we will work to expand the right to organize for all global workers regardless of where they were born.
