Call to Action: End Subminimum Wage NOW

As we approach the end of 2024, the Students with Disabilities Advocacy Group is proud to conclude this tumultuous year with a call to action.

For those who may be unfamiliar, The Fair Labor Standards Act includes section 14(c) which allows businesses (with 14(c) certificates) to pay disabled employees less than minimum wage. While 13 states have passed state laws to ban subminimum wage, there has been little movement to protect disabled workers right to a fair wage federally. That is, until recently, with calls to action addressed to Congress and the Department of Labor calling needed attention to this outdated precedent.

The bill moving through congress that addresses subminimum wage is the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA). The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) has done an excellent job leading advocacy around this bill.

I was proud to advocate directly to Representative Rick Allen in the House of Representatives, a member of the House Education and Work committee, who was reviewing TCIEA as part of a larger workforce package. In preparing for this meeting, I learned that alongside 14(c) certificates being unethical they are also dysfunctional to maintain.

I was also able to speak with a member of my community who had experienced subminimum employment, who just like the rest of us was working to make ends meet during economic hardship. They described the realization that they were being paid less than minimum wage as humiliating. The disabled community deserves respect and dignity in the workplace, as we bring unique perspectives to all environments we enter. Even if this wasn't the case, paying an employee below minimum wage (with the federal minimum wage of $7.25 not serving as a living wage to begin with) is something to be ashamed of. TCIEA provides a financial cushion for businesses to do away with this practice once and for all.

Congressional Call to Action from ASAN:

You have the power to demand equal pay and integrated employment for our community. Speaking with elected representatives shows them that this issue matters to people. This is critical to making them take action. Your input can make a huge impact for disabled workers -- take action NOW and tell congressional leaders to pass TCIEA today!

An important way we can push these two committees to pass TCIEA is by contacting the leaders of each committee. The leaders of the House Education & Workforce Committee are Representative Foxx and Representative Scott. The leaders of the Senate House, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP Committee) are Senator Sanders and Senator Cassidy.

You can call or email these leaders to tell them you want TCIEA to pass this year. We encourage people to make phone calls if it is accessible for you, because emails are easy to ignore. We recommend starting with the Committee phone numbers. If no one answers when you call the Committee phone numbers, then call the Senators/Representatives' Phone numbers.

Senate HELP Committee: (202) 224-5374

House Education and Workforce Committee: (202) 225-4527

Senator Sanders' Office Number: (202) 224-5141

Senator Cassidy's Office Number: (202) 224-5824

Representative Scott's Office Number: (202) 225-8351

Representative Foxx's Office Number: (202) 225-2071

Email Senator Sanders' Staff: Warren_Gunnels@help.senate.gov

Email Senator Cassidy's Staff: Amanda_Lincoln@help.senate.gov

Email Representative Scott's Staff: Veronique.Pluviose@mail.house.gov

Email Representative Foxx's Staff: Carson.Middleton@mail.house.gov

Here is a script you can use to help you know what to say on your phone call or in your email:

"My name is [your full name]. I'm calling to ask Representative/Senator [Foxx/Scott/Sanders/Cassidy] to add the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, or TCIEA, back into the final workforce and apprenticeship package and pass it this session.

TCIEA would give states and businesses the resources they need to provide good jobs for disabled people so that we can earn more money and be more independent. When states switch from subminimum wage to fairly paid jobs in the community, more disabled people get jobs and thrive in their communities.

Disabled people want to work, and TCIEA would help us meet that goal. I would like to ask Representative/Senator [Foxx/Scott/Sanders/Cassidy] to include TCIEA in the final workforce and apprenticeship package and ensure its passage this congressional session."

Call to Action for the Department of Labor

Alongside legislative calls to action, the Department of Labor proposed a rule to phase out subminimum wage as well. They are seeking comments regarding the proposed rule until January 17th, 2025. This is another way for you to make your voice on this issue loud and clear.

The link to submit comments is attached here!