[NFBMT] AbilityOne Commission letter calling for SourceAmerica to end the use of subminimum wages

Tue May 7 19:02:58 UTC 2019

Wow now if they had put that into English I would have understand all 
that foolishness.
I hope it was for the best.

Original message:
> Your NFB influence at work.  Joy

> From: Eacobacci, Kimie

> Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2019 12:13 PM
> Subject: AbilityOne Commission letter calling for SourceAmerica to end 
> the use of subminimum wages

> Good Afternoon Fellow Federationists:

> I wanted to pass along important updates that demonstrate the great 
> strides we are making to end the use of subminimum wages for people 
> with disabilities. Attached and pasted below, you will find a letter 
> from the AbilityOne Commission directed to SourceAmerica demanding the 
> following information to demonstrate its efforts to move away from the 
> use of subminimum wages for people with disabilities:

> - By the end of March 2019, provide SourceAmerica’s intent for 
> achieving the goal of all SourceAmerica associated nonprofit agencies 
> paying at least the federal minimum wage, or state minimum wage if 
> higher, on AbilityOne contracts.

> - By the end of April 2019, provide a strategic plan on what 
> SourceAmerica is going to do, and when, to achieve this goal – e.g., 
> implementation actions and milestones.

> - Specifically, this strategic plan should address the steps to assist 
> and facilitate your associated nonprofit agencies to pay all employees 
> who have significant disabilities working on AbilityOne contracts (1) 
> at least the federal minimum wage, or state minimum wage if higher, 
> within three years, and (2) no less than the full prevailing wage or 
> better within six years.

> - By the end of October 2019, provide a progress report on the 
> implementation of the strategic

> plan.

> - Beginning in January 2020, provide quarterly progress reports.

> Because of your continued efforts, we are one step closer to ending 
> this archaic practice.

> Have a wonderful day!

> Kimie Eacobacci

> Government Affairs Specialist

> 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

> (410) 659-9314, extension 2441 |  <mailto:keacobacci at nfb.org> 
> keacobacci at nfb.org

>  <https://nfb.org/> The National Federation of the Blind is a community 
> of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the 
> nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live 
> the lives they want.

> SENT VIA E-MAIL

> Mr. Norman Lorentz

> Chairman of the Board

> SourceAmerica

> 8401 Old Courthouse Road

> Vienna, VA 22182

> Dear Mr. Lorentz:

> The imperative to end the payment of subminimum wages in the AbilityOne 
> Program is growing in strength and momentum with every passing year. It 
> is time to pay at least the federal minimum wage, or state minimum wage 
> if higher, to all employees who are blind or have significant 
> disabilities working on AbilityOne contracts.

> This important topic was addressed by the Commission in its 
> “Declaration in Support of Minimum Wage for All People Who Are Blind or 
> Have Significant Disabilities,” issued on March 18, 2016.

> Since then, the issue of 14(c) has gained a greater sense of urgency 
> both within and outside the AbilityOne Program. The Commission, Central 
> Nonprofit Agencies, and Nonprofit Agencies should be vigorous role 
> models for employing people who are blind or have other significant 
> disabilities.

> To do this, we must act. We call on SourceAmerica to provide the 
> following to the Commission:

> - By the end of March 2019, provide SourceAmerica’s intent for 
> achieving the goal of all SourceAmerica associated nonprofit agencies 
> paying at least the federal minimum wage, or state minimum wage if 
> higher, on AbilityOne contracts.

> - By the end of April 2019, provide a strategic plan on what 
> SourceAmerica is going to do, and when, to achieve this goal – e.g., 
> implementation actions and milestones.

> - Specifically, this strategic plan should address the steps to assist 
> and facilitate your associated nonprofit agencies to pay all employees 
> who have significant disabilities working on AbilityOne contracts (1) 
> at least the federal minimum wage, or state minimum wage if higher, 
> within three years, and (2) no less than the full prevailing wage or 
> better within six years.

> - By the end of October 2019, provide a progress report on the 
> implementation of the strategic

> plan.

> - Beginning in January 2020, provide quarterly progress reports.

> We recognize that some nonprofits have voluntarily moved away from the 
> 14(c) certificates. It is also

> important to recognize that pursuant to the wage determination rates 
> set in accordance with the

> Service Contract Act, more than half of the nonprofit agencies are 
> paying a minimum hourly wage no

> less than $10.60 plus fringe benefits. Others in the program exceed 
> that wage, since SourceAmerica’s

> average hourly wage is $13.98 on service contracts.

> These facts are evidence that you are positioned and capable of 
> implementing this guidance.

> Let us know how we can work with you to advance this positive and 
> critical action. We look forward

> to your response.

> Sincerely,

> / s /

> Thomas D. Robinson

> Chairperson and Presidential Appointee

> cc: Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee

> House Committee on Oversight and Reform

> Mr. Steve Krotonsky, Acting President and CEO

> Mr. Robert Kelly, Commission Vice Chair and Presidential Appointee

> Mr. James Kesteloot, Immediate Past Commission Chair and Presidential Appointee

> Ms. Tina Ballard, Executive Director, Commission

> Joy Breslauer, First Vice President

> National Federation of the Blind of Montana

> Web Site:  <http://www.nfbofmt.org/> http://www.nfbofmt.org

> Live the life you want

> The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and 
> friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. 
> Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.
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