Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: Recently, the New York city council was presented with a bill that could change the lives of domestic workers around the city. An active labor organization, Domestic Workers United (DWU), is taking steps to protect and improve the working conditions of nannies, live-in housekeepers, housecleaners, and babysitters around the city (Greenhouse 2002, Zorabedian 2002). Initiatives by domestic worker organizations such as the DWU demonstrate the efforts of many of these women to change the structure of their occupation. Cleaning, cooking, and caring for children are tasks that have been historically perceived as having little or no value, especially since this work is relegated as “woman’s work.” Therefore women who are hired to perform these tasks typically are paid low wages and get little respect or prestige for working in this kind of profession (Rollins 1985, Romero 1992). In this paper, I will be focusing on various strategies these women use to change their position and the structure of this occupation, one that has been traditionally exploitative towards women, especially those who are immigrants. I will be begin by reviewing various challenges involved with organizing women in this profession and will argue that despite these barriers presented, domestic workers do use their agency to improve their work situation. Three methods of organizing will be discussed, the formation of non-traditional labor unions, “cooperative” organizing, and social networking. In addition, new developments that are arising in organizing domestic work, such as transnational organizations that link one group across the globe will be explored.