S.O.U.L. e-Newsletter
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
National Women's Law Center Webinars
Recently the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) did a series of webinars regarding women and planning for the future. The September 7th webinar concentrated on what women need to know about Social Security, while the September 12th webinar focused on what women need to know about pensions and savings. Both webinars were very informative and comprehensive. If you were unable to attend the webinars, fear not! You can download the slides from the webinar and listen to the webinar on the NWLC website! Just click on the links below for the information:
"Planning for the Future: What Women Need to Know About Social Security"
"Planning for the Future: What Women Need to Know About Pensions and Savings"
Department of Labor Women's Bureau Update Phone Conference
On September 20th, the Department of Labor Women's Bureau held a phone conference that concentrated on Women and the American Jobs Act. During the phone conference, Adriana Kugler, Chief Economist for the Women's Bureau, reviewed all aspects of the American Jobs Act and how it will benefit women. Attached to this email you will find a fact sheet entitled, "The American Jobs Act: Impact for Women and the Economy" which looks at how the American Jobs Act will be beneficial to women.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
The month of October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). This year’s theme is “Profit by Investing in Workers with Disabilities.” A common concern for individuals with disabilities is that they will be discriminated against. They fear being looked over for a job, being fired, that their hours will be reduced or their position will be eliminated.
In 1990, The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was passed to help prevent the discrimination of individuals with disabilities. The ADA applies to the following:
1. Private employers who have at the minimum 15 employees (includes employers who have more than one location and the combined total of employees from all locations is more than 15). This includes labor unions and employment agencies.
2. State and Local government
3. The ADA does not apply to the federal government except for the U.S. Senate. Federal workers are protected by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Under the ADA, disability means, “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” Life activities “include caring for one self, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, leading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working. Life activities also can include, “operation of a bodily function, including but not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine and reproductive functions. To be covered by the ADA, the individual must qualify for the job (has the need skills, educations, experiences, licenses, etc.) and “must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.”
On October 12, Cornell University’s Industrial and Labor Relations School will host a free webcast featuring Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy from 12p-1p Eastern. Topics will include why employing people with disabilities are important to U.S. business and economy, what organizations can do to support and hire people with disabilities, and more. If you are interested in viewing the webcast, please click on the link below.
Keystone XL Pipeline Field Hearings
The Keystone XL Pipeline Field Hearings began this week! Laborers have been out in full force with their orange shirts showing their support for the pipeline and the living wage jobs it will create. So far field hearings have been held in Topeka, Kansas, Port Arthur, Texas, Lincoln, NE and today’s hearing is in Austin, TX. Thursday hearings will be held in Pierre, South Dakota, and Atkinson, NE. The final hearing will be held in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Thank you to all the Brothers and Sisters who have attended the hearings so far! Your support and solidarity is greatly appreciated! If you would like to participate in the remaining field hearings, please contact your Local for more information.
Sincerely,
Megan Hardy
Researcher
Midwest Region LECET
(402) 305-3305 CELL
(402) 734-0132 FAX
mhardy@midwestlaborers.org
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