[Iabs-talk] Federal Legislation alert-Transformation to Competitive Employment Act

[Marilyn Green]

Greetings fellow federationists,

March Madness is not just for college basketball enthusiasts, it is also for those diehard federationists who know that the National Federation of the Blind cannot pass legislation without the love, hope and determination of its members far and wide. Illinois has yet to get a co-sponsor for HR 873/S260, Transformation to Competitive Employment Act and we know that it is not because of our lack of persistence.

Take the time this month to call and e-mail your federal legislators about our competitive employment act. This bill will phase out section 14c of the Fair Labor Standards Act over a six year period, at which time the provision will be officially sunset. The 14c provision allows payment of sub-minimum wages and fosters low expectations for disabled workers who are placed in segregated, sheltered work shops.

When you call or email, you might say something like the following:

"Hello, my name is [your name] and I am a constituent of [your senator/representative]. I live in [city, state]. I am calling to urge [your senator/representative] to cosponsor [S. 260 for Senate calls/H.R. 873 for House calls], the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act. This bill would phase out subminimum wages for people with disabilities over a six-year period, at which point Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the provision that allows this practice, would be sunset. I urge [your senator/representative] to cosponsor the bill. Thanks.”



You can contact your member of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking for the office in question. The number is 202-224-3121. If you email your representative or senators, please copy me at marilynvgreen at gmail.com

Please reach out with questions about the bill or how to contact your legislator.

Thanks for all that you do to build our organization.

Marilyn