Thousands of nannies, housecleaners, and other domestic workers in Seattle have been working in the shadows of the city's labor laws.
Even when a given labor law did technically cover domestic workers, it was difficult to enforce these standards when your workplace is someone else's private home. If you're a domestic worker, whether or not you get basic rights & benefits at work has depended on your employers' knowledge, discretion, and compassion.
That’s why domestic workers came together and won a citywide Bill of Rights that ensures they get the basic rights and benefits every worker needs, including a voice in the issues that affect their jobs and a path to a better future.
If you get sick or are exposed to unsafe conditions, you shouldn’t lose your livelihood just because of the kind of work you do. If something happens and you’re unable to work, you shouldn’t be denied access to workers' comp & unemployment just because of the kind of work you do. And if you’re building a career, you shouldn’t be denied access to retirement and healthcare benefits just because of the kind of work you do.
Nannies, housecleaners, and other domestic workers in the city are organizing to make their basic rights a reality by winning stronger industry-wide standards and building an organization to back up those standards. Domestic workers are calling on the Seattle City Council to pass a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights which:
Ensures all domestic workers are covered by all our basic workers’ rights laws.
Guarantees written contracts for all domestic workers.
Establishes an official city commission which includes domestic workers and has the power to set legally-binding industry standards on wages, benefits, and working conditions.