At the National APSE Conference at the end of June the topic of subminimal wages was discussed. If you are an APSE member, you should have received an email survey link to the following information and questions seeking your feedback/input. In case you are not an APSE member, we wanted to share this information on the position that APSE is considering.
From the APSE National Survey Link: "The Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing in early March, 2009 about a situation that shocked advocates around the country. As Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), who conducted the hearing stated, "For too long we have been complacent about the potential for abuse and exploitation of people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations in the workplace. We got a rude wake-up call with a shocking case in Atalissa, Iowa ." The hearing went on to note that no less than eleven federal and state agencies were conducting investigations of Henry Turkey Services which had housed workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a cock-roach infested 106 year old "bunk house" with no central heating, taking their wages and SSI checks in return. The twenty-one men all worked in a turkey processing plant for twenty to thirty years at well below minimum wage. As a result, numerous national advocacy groups are creating position statements that recommend the elimination of the federal sub-minimum wage certificate program. We believe that as a national organization with a mission of equitable employment, APSE has a responsibility to be responsive to this issue.
The Collaboration to Promote Self Determination (CPSD), has proposed a plan for a 2 to 7 year phase out of sub-minimum wage along with a $100 million Employment First initiative to assist states in developing an infrastructure necessary to assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining integrated employment. APSE has had input into these deliberations, and feel this is a reasonable plan.
At the national conference in Milwaukee, we had many discussions on this issue with members, with many members expressing strong support for an APSE position in favor of phase out of sub-minimum wage. A number of people also expressed legitimate concerns that chapter membership would be threatened and noted concerns within their own organization if sub-minimum wage was to be eliminated. At the same time, people also noted that as an association, we must hold true to our values and mission which includes equitable treatment of people with disabilities. Since not all our members were able to attend the conference this year, we would like to get input into our position on this important issue.
Please know that we will review all the responses submitted to us and time is of the essence. It is also important for members to understand that APSE works for its members who in turn elect the leadership (chapter presidents, regional delegates and the national board of directors). Ultimately, the national board will make the decision regarding our position, but not without thoughtful analysis of your input.
We need input from our members around the country and ask that you take 5-10 minutes to complete the attached survey. If you would like to also contact your elected chapter delegate (
http://www.apse.org/chapters/council.cfm) or a national board member (
http://www.apse.org/contact_us/board.cfm) regarding this issue, please feel free to do so."
Hawthorne Inn
NCARF Leadership would like to give back to membership during this economic downturn by initiating an incentive to all members who renew their membership with NCARF this year. Once all membership dues have been collected, your organization will receive a "stimulus rebate check" reflecting approximately 25% of your dues paid from the previous year.
