[il-talk] FW: [Chapter-presidents] National Federation of the Blind Applauds Ruling Requiring Equal Pay for Disabled Workers

[David Meyer]

  _____  

From: chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lewis, Anil
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 7:13 PM
To: Affiliate Presidents (nfbaffiliatepresidents at nfbnet.org); NFB Chapter
Presidents discussion list
Subject: [Chapter-presidents] National Federation of the Blind Applauds
Ruling Requiring Equal Pay for Disabled Workers



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org


National Federation of the Blind Applauds Ruling
Requiring Equal Pay for Disabled Workers


$1.3 Million in Back Pay and Other Damages Awarded


 

Baltimore, Maryland (September 20, 2012):  <http://www.nfb.org> The National
Federation of the Blind, the nation's leading advocate for
<http://www.nfb.org/fair-wages> fair wages for workers with disabilities,
today applauded a recent ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of Iowa, Davenport Division, finding that a turkey processing
service violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by paying its disabled
employees less than federal and state minimum wages.  The ruling in Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission v. Hill Country Farms, Inc. d/b/a Henry's
Turkey Services (Case number: No. 3-11-cv-41-CRW-TJS) found that the
defendant had "engaged in unlawful and discriminatory pay practices in
violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act," and awarded the workers
$1.3 million in back pay and other damages.

 

 <http://www.nfb.org/marc-maurer-bio> Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the
<http://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind> National Federation
of the Blind, said: "We have long contended that the antiquated practice of
paying workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage is
discriminatory and out of step with the enlightened view of the capacity of
workers with disabilities reflected in statutes like the Americans with
Disabilities Act.  For this reason, we are calling for
<https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/fair-wagesforworkers-2012.pdf>
the repeal of Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which, based on
the fallacy that workers with disabilities are not productive, authorizes
the payment of subminimum wages to workers with disabilities.  This ruling,
in a case with facts that ought to shock the conscience of every American,
makes it clear that a labor practice dating from the 1930s is fundamentally
irreconcilable with modern laws prohibiting discrimination against workers
with disabilities.  We hope that the United States Congress will soon update
the nation's statutes by phasing out Section 14(c) so that no employer can
ever again engage in such unconscionable discrimination."

 

 

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About the National Federation of the Blind

 

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind. 

 

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