[Nfb-new-hampshire] Fw: [Chapter-presidents] FW: Update on Goodwill Boycott, Fair Wages, and Supporting Organizations

[Ed Meskys]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lewis, Anil" <ALewis at nfb.org>
To: <nfbaffiliatepresidents at nfbnet.org>; "NFB Chapter Presidents discussion 
list" <chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2012 10:22 AM
Subject: [Chapter-presidents] FW: Update on Goodwill Boycott, Fair Wages, 
and Supporting Organizations


FYI:

The following was sent to a staff member in the office of every member of 
the U.S. House of Representatives.

-----Original Message-----
From: Lewis, Anil
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2012 12:29 PM
To: Lewis, Anil
Subject: Update on Goodwill Boycott, Fair Wages, and Supporting 
Organizations

Good afternoon,

I wanted to be sure that you are aware that the National Federation of the 
Blind announced a boycott of Goodwill Industries, demanding that Goodwill 
discontinue its practice of paying less than the federal minimum wage to 
workers with disabilities.  Our boycott is a public awareness campaign, as 
well as a catalyst for systemic change that will pave the way for the 
elimination of Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The general public is largely unaware that Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor 
Standards Act allows employers to obtain a certificate from the U.S. 
Department of Labor that allows them to pay less than the minimum wage to 
their employees with disabilities.  We chose to boycott this high-profile 
employer of people with disabilities to make the public aware of this 
unfair, discriminatory, and immoral practice.  We have already received 
calls and emails from individuals across the country expressing their 
outrage and disgust with Goodwill's use of this antiquated practice.

Almost two-thirds of Goodwill's affiliates already compensate their workers 
with disabilities at the federal minimum wage or higher.  Goodwill 
affiliates have therefore already demonstrated that they can sustain their 
business while fairly compensating their workers with disabilities.  In 
light of the continued success of Goodwill affiliates and other entities 
that remain viable without exploiting their disabled workforce, it is simply 
irresponsible and inexcusable for the remaining Goodwill affiliates, or any 
other employers of workers with disabilities, to continue the outdated, 
discriminatory practice of paying their disabled workers subminimum wages.

Our goal is to compel Goodwill to adopt a fair wages policy that guarantees 
at least the federal minimum wage to each of its workers with disabilities. 
Once Goodwill does so, others will follow.

With respect to H.R. 3086, the Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act 
of 2011, we are up to 47 supporting organizations and 78 cosponsors.  Last 
week the National Council on Disability voted to approve a recommendation to 
phase out the exemption in Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

To our cosponsors, we appreciate your steadfast support and look forward to 
the day when people with disabilities are valued as equals in the workplace, 
allowed to fully participate in their communities, and paid fair wages.

Sincerely,

Mr. Anil Lewis, M.P.A.
Director of Strategic Communications

"Eliminating Subminimum Wages for People with Disabilities"
http://www.nfb.org/fairwages

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland   21230

(410) 659-9314 ext. 2374 (Voice)
(410) 685-5653 (FAX)
Email: alewis at nfb.org
Web: www.nfb.org

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