I recognize you do amazing work, but you're still not getting minimum wage

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.seiu.org/2010/08/i-recognize-you-do-amazing-work-youre-still-not-getting-minimum-wage.php

12:08 PM Eastern - August 24, 2010

By Richard Negri

Someone sent me an email earlier entitled, "U.S. Senate Declares National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week."

The big week of recognition is slotted to begin September 12th.



In the announcement for "Recognition Week," Senator Ben Nelson says, "Direct support professionals provide an invaluable service to the millions of Americans living with disabilities. I'm proud to honor these hard-working individuals who give so much to help those in need. Their dedication to service is an example to us all."

So, bravo to the Senate for marking a week in September to honor these workers, but honor and a week of applause doesn't pay the bills. Surely, they must know this.

While the Senate "recognizes" these workers, more than 1.5 million home care workers are currently living at near-poverty level earning a median income of $17,000 a year. Most of these workers, who both love their work and are good at their work, must have two and three jobs to just make ends meet. Many of these workers need food stamps to put food on their tables. All this ultimately hurts the consumer, who often finds it difficult to find and retain high quality home care services.

FULL story at link and facebook replies.

[pleah]

1. K&R

[NMMNG]

2. Sad but true

It's a testament to how little we value life that we pay caregivers so little. It's demanding work that takes a lot of compassion and patience, as well as specialized skills. In some cases the local fast-food joints and department stores pay as much (or more) than what one could make being a caregiver. Most people are in it not to make money but because they find it rewarding, but it is daunting that it's often impossible to survive without substantial overtime or multiple jobs. The jobs are stressful enough without working well in excess of 40 hours/week.

Caregivers, and the people they support, deserve more.

[Odin2005]

3. K&R +1,000,000,000,000

[Richard Steele]

4. K&R

[Starry Messenger]

5. k & r

[Radical Activist]

6. Good article.

[Omaha Steve]

7. Kick

[TBF]

8. K&R nt