Documents the rising movement to secure rights for cooks, nannies, caregivers and other domestic workers.

Love and compassion are at the heart of domestic labor, yet historically, domestic workers have been rendered invisible—by society and in the eyes of the law. Mostly foreign-born women, these workers have been excluded from labor protections that workers in the rest of the economy take for granted. However, in the past decade, a growing movement has emerged calling for domestic workers to share in the same rights guaranteed other workers, which is likely to lead to one of the most critical and encompassing labor battles of the twenty-first century.

Part of the Family? Nannies, Housekeepers, Caregivers and the Battle for Domestic Workers' Rights chronicles the rising political and social movement to secure labor protections for domestic workers who toil in our homes cleaning, cooking, and caring for our children and elders. Through interviews with the leaders and activists who are forging new and unlikely political alliances among workers, employers, policymakers and other social justice movements, as well as analysis of the historical underpinnings of the current fight for improved conditions and protections for domestic workers, this important and timely book will shine an overdue light on the invisible laborers who are so critical to our economy (and our families).

Project Overview (subject to change)

Part of the Family? explores the movement to secure increased power and labor protections for American workers who toil in businesses and private homes cleaning, cooking, and caring for elders and youth. Taking a broad look across the current U.S. labor movement which is gaining traction in a number of sectors, this book focuses on labor deemed “domestic” in that it occurs in both businesses (kitchen services, housekeeping) as well as private homes. Throughout U.S. history, union protection has typically been found for “public sphere” work, but the nation is now seeing emerging growth in activism among those who toil to keep American businesses and homes clean, fed, cared for and functioning. Through the lens of both workers and activists, whose compassion is driving this movement, this book analyzes a new era of recognition and rights for domestic laborers and the continuing challenges this movement could face.

Chapters:

Introduction:

Domestic labor is a crucial engine of the economy. From housekeeping in major hotel chains to nanny in private homes, the work of the domestic sphere has never been more critical. Yet since Mary Wollstonecraft’s days, domestic work has been devalued and rendered invisible -- in society and in the eyes of the law. The Introduction discusses the feminist underpinnings of the current movement to recognize domestic labor and the “informal economy” generally, and provides historical and theoretical context for why domestic labor receives far less regard and respect than other types of work. This section will also discuss why some domestic workers, including who toil in private homes, have been disregarded by major labor laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act.

Chapter I. Laying the Groundwork for the Modern-day Battles

This chapter begins by offering a historical view of how well unions have represented domestic laborers in the United States, and will then delve into the history of the formation of key unions and community organizations who fight for domestic laborers. Key organizations include Unite Here, Domestic Workers United, the National Domestic Workers Alliance and other preeminent organizations, the need for these advocacy groups in light of the socioeconomic status of domestic workers, and how these groups’ organizing strategies range from city and state legislation, influencing their employers’ corporate boards, and strikes.

Chapter II. Domestic Workers Take Center Stage: New York, California, and Emerging State Initiatives

Chapter Two will examine the most recent state legislative campaigns for the rights of domestic workers who work specifically in American homes. In particular it will examine the legislative campaigns of New York and California to secure a domestic workers bill of rights, the coalitions of organizers and legislative support built in each state, as well as how aspects of this strategy could be applicable to other union groups who represent domestic laborers going forward.

Chapter III. The Love-Led Movement

Chapter Three will profile four to six leaders of the movement including domestic workers who are helping lead the fight, the leaders of Unite Here, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Jobs with Justice and Caring Across Generations. This chapter will also offer insight into their leadership philosophies, how this leadership has evolved and changed as compared with mid-century U.S. union leadership, and why their work is gaining traction with funders, organizers and policymakers, even as many union efforts nationally have been declining.

Chapter IV. Impact of the 2012 Election and Intersection with Other U.S. Movements

The conditions domestic workers face parallel many issues that many workers face in today’s economy: increased freelance and contract opportunities are replacing full time positions with benefits. Chapter Four will explore how policy solutions for domestic laborers can impact all American workers. It will also examine cooperation with the Obama Administration, particularly with Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, and U.S. support for domestic workers’ rights organizing at the International Labour Organisation. Finally, this section will delve into how the domestic workers’ movement intersects with the women’s rights, immigrant rights and other social movements.

Chapter V. Political Future, Resources and Organizing guide

Chapter Five reviews the challenges, as well as the potential, that lies ahead for enhanced recognition of domestic labor as an economic engine as well as protections for domestic workers. Enforcement challenges, poverty, and tough immigration laws will continue to be a challenge for domestic workers. At the same time, there is evidence of new campaigns heating up. For example, Unite Here’s campaign to enhance the status of housekeepers, laundry workers and other sectors who engage in domestic labor through pursuing co-determination strategies is a unique approached, though it is rife with challenges. In addition, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington are all poised to launch domestic workers rights campaigns in 2013. Finally, domestic workers rights organizers are connecting their campaigns with the plight of elders in America -- and in so doing, they may be creating a potentially formidable voting bloc for progressive or Democratic candidates. This section will also provide a comprehensive resource guide of local and national organizations, important state legislators to target, as well as tips for domestic workers and organizers who wish to get involved.