#EqualPay4OurWork Twitter Chat: The Fight to Eliminate the Subminimum Wage
When the Fair Labor Standards Act passed in 1938, it included a revolutionary protection: a minimum wage. But Section 14(c) of the Act included an exemption allowing some workers – people with disabilities – to be paid less. Eighty-one years later, 14(c) still remains in effect, and many disabled people are employed in “sheltered workshops” where we make, on average, less than $2 an hour.
But that’s changing! Disability advocates are fighting back, both with Federal legislation and in state legislatures.
Rooted in Rights, in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind (@NFB_voice) and subminimum wage activist Shaun Bickley (@LeftistAutist), is hosting a Twitter chat on Tuesday, March 5th, 2019 at 3pm EST / 12pm PST to discuss the efforts being made to end the subminimum wage and win #EqualPay4OurWork.
We hope to see you join the conversation on March 5th by using the hashtag #EqualPay4OurWork in your tweets and be a part of the discussion.
Questions that will be discussed during the chat:
Q1: Has there been any legislative action in your state to end subminimum wage? If not, what can be done to get this issue on the radar of your elected officials? #EqualPay4OurWork
Q2: What has been the latest efforts on the federal level to eliminate submimimum wages? #EqualPay4OurWork
Q3: How has subminimum wage perpetuated the devaluing of disabled workers’ labor and presence in the workplace? #EqualPay4OurWork
Q4: The exploitation of disabled people is a rampant problem. How have you handled situations where employers sought to exploit your labor on the job? #EqualPay4OurWork
Q5: For 2019, what can individuals and organizations do to bring attention to the issue of subminimum wage #EqualPay4OurWork
To learn more about the subminimum wage, you can watch our documentary, Bottom Dollars, now available in segments on YouTube.
About Rooted In Rights
Rooted in Rights exists to amplify the perspectives of the disability community. Blog posts and storyteller videos that we publish and content we re-share on social media do not necessarily reflect the opinions or values of Rooted in Rights nor indicate an endorsement of a program or service by Rooted in Rights. We respect and aim to reflect the diversity of opinions and experiences of the disability community. Rooted in Rights seeks to highlight discussions, not direct them. Learn more about Rooted In Rights
