AFL-CIO, National Domestic Workers' Alliance, National Guestworkers' Alliance Announce Partnership Agreements

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka along with Saket Soni of the National Guestworkers' Alliance and Barbara Young of the National Domestic Workers' Alliance announced separate partnership agreements with the AFL-CIO today in Manhattan. The agreements outlined a framework for the groups to partner with the labor federation around issues of organizing, winning rights for excluded workers and building long term relationships.

The agreements are part of the AFL-CIO's continued outreach to excluded workers who work in professions that are often not afforded fundamental labor rights and safety protections under the law. In 2006 the AFL-CIO signed a similar agreement with workers' centers, partnering with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. And in 2006 the New York Taxi Workers' Alliance also became the first workers' center to become a member of the New York City Central Labor Council.

"Today is a proud day for domestic workers and for the US labor movement," said Barbara Young, nanny and National Organizer with the National Domestic Workers Alliance. "We are committing to work together to build a powerful labor movement for the 21st Century. We are proud to fight together with our union brothers and sisters to defend and expand the right to organize, win justice for immigrants, and ensure that one day the workers that makes all other work possible-- cleaning and caring for children and seniors-- will have rights, respect, and recognition."

"We are signing these partnership agreements because we can't rely on the law alone if we want to fight for the inclusion of all workers," said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. "And we can't win these battles alone. We have to work together and take collective action-whether it's in the streets, at city hall or at the ILO. We extend our hand to all the organizations of the Excluded Workers Congress and workers around the world who are part of this struggle in partnership and in solidarity. "

"Starting today, guestworkers and U.S. workers will work to transform workplaces across the United States together," said Saket Soni of the National Guestworkers' Alliance. "Starting today, we fight for collective dignity, and work to win 21st century rights for a 21st century economy. And starting today, we work expand the right to organize for all global workers regardless of where they were born."

This announcement kicked off the start of Excluded Workers Congress conference. The three day event brings together workers and activists from across the globe who are fighting to protect the rights of those who do essential but often thankless and ill-protected jobs. The event will examine the changing landscape around workers' rights and the conditions of excluded workers.