President Obama and Secretary of Labor Solis today announced that the U.S. Department of Labor will move forward to amend regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to include the nearly 2 million homecare workers who are currently excluded from federal overtime and minimum wage protections. Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) issued this statement in response:

“Evelyn Coke, a single mother from Queens who worked long hours she was never paid for, took her case all the way to the Supreme Court but was denied justice. Sadly, Ms. Coke did not live to see her quest for equal labor protections for homecare workers answered by President Obama and Secretary Solis, but she is with us in spirit today. Today marks an enormous step forward to correct an injustice against hard-working Americans that has also hampered our ability to address the growing long-term care crisis in our country.

“Invisible no more. For more than two decades, homecare workers across the country have said this to one another to find hope in the face of poverty wages and poor working conditions. They have chanted this phrase as they voted to join with our union to create a better life for themselves and their families. For the working women and men who care for our aging parents, our sisters, brothers and neighbors ‘invisible no more’ is not a simple slogan, it is an undeniable call to action.

“Now more than ever, every job in our country must be a good job that can sustain a family, strengthen our communities and move our country forward. Very soon, every caregiver in America will be equal in the eyes of the law and equally protected. This day will be a day that makes Evelyn Coke -- and every American -- very proud.”

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With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.

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