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

Tue May 7 19:13:56 UTC 2019

It sounds positive or at least promising.  Joy

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMT <nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of d m gina via NFBMT
Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2019 1:03 PM
To: nfbmt at nfbnet.org
Cc: d m gina <dmgina at mysero.net>
Subject: Re: [NFBMT] AbilityOne Commission letter calling for SourceAmerica to 
end the use of subminimum wages

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.
> _______________________________________________
> NFBMT mailing list
> NFBMT at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmt_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFBMT:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmt_nfbnet.org/dmgina%40mysero.net

--
--Dar
skype: dmgina23
  FB: dmgina
www.twitter.com/dmgina
every saint has a past
every sinner has a future
_______________________________________________
NFBMT mailing list
NFBMT at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmt_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFBMT:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmt_nfbnet.org/breslauerj%40gmail.com