[nfbmi-talk] nfb press release on gov paterson

[joe harcz Comcast]

Former New York Governor David Paterson Comments on Subminimum Wages for Disabled Workers

 

NEW YORK--(

BUSINESS WIRE)--

In advance of planned protests by the National Federation of the Blind against the payment of subminimum wages to people with disabilities and the proposed

Workforce Investment Act, Former New York State Governor David A. Paterson, a member of and consultant to the National Federation of the Blind, said: “On

the eve of the twenty-first anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is more than appropriate that we call for the language that would reauthorize

the practice of paying subminimum wages to Americans with disabilities to be stricken from the Workforce Investment Act. We have progressed so far as a

nation since 1938, when the original Fair Labor Standards Act denied people with disabilities the workforce protection of a federal minimum wage. Today,

we recognize our neighbors’ different religions, different ethnicities, and different backgrounds and embrace the fact that these differences don’t justify

discrimination. On August 3, when this legislation is scheduled to be considered by the members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and

Pensions, they should strike the language from the bill that discriminates against Americans with disabilities and ensure that there is equal pay for equal

work.”

 

The National Federation of the Blind has announced that its members, along with other organizations of Americans with disabilities, will be conducting informational

protests across the United States to raise awareness about the practice of paying wages below the federal minimum wage to disabled workers. The protests

will take place on July 26, the twenty-first anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, at the primary district office locations of United States

senators serving on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (the HELP Committee).

 

On August 3, the HELP committee is scheduled to vote on the Workforce Investment Act. Title V, Section 511 contains language reauthorizing the payment of

wages below the federal minimum wage to people with disabilities.

 

For more information on the National Federation of the Blind and fair wages for workers with disabilities, please visit

www.nfb.org.