Response to the veto--hear one organizer's thoughts

One of they many vibrant rallies and events in support of AB889.

By Jack deJesus

Maids. Nannies. Caregivers. We might not notice them. But they are out there working tirelessly to take care of people's kids, assist the elderly, and keep homes clean. And they are some of the most exploited workers out there, with hardly any rights, sometimes slaving hours upon hours without a lunch break, often never receiving the just compensation they deserve for their time and sweat. They also experience various forms of abuse by their employers, sometimes working under the threat of being fired or deported if they speak out.

Within the past few years, a movement domestic workers rose up and began fighting for equality and recognition. In California, this grassroots movement was able to get a historic bill through legislation - AB889: The Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights, which would have provided these workers with the basic rights and treatment that they deserved. All it needed was a signature by California Governor Jerry Brown.

On Sunday, September 30th, Governor Brown vetoed AB889, turning his back on the 8000+ workers and their supporters who lobbied and marched and rallied for this bill. Many were shocked, some were not surprised. But either way, the fight continues on, not just in California, but across the nation and globally.

We caught up with Katie Joaquin of the California Domestic Workers Coalition to get her thoughts in this video.




Please join this rally in SF on Thursday, 10/4 at 11am to protest the veto of the TRUST Act, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, and the farmworkers heat protection bills. Location is the State Building, 455 Golden Gate Ave, SF.