Many of you know that breastfeeding support and promotion is important to us, and that we feel strongly that supporting breastfeeding moms in the workplace is one of the most powerful means of “lactivism”.
The Civil Rights act of 1964 was amended some time ago to protect women from being discriminated on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth and “other related medical conditions”, but it does not explicitly protect against discrimination for breastfeeding mothers.
We are thrilled that Rep Carolyn Maloney (NY) and Sen Jeff Merkley are working to amend the Civil Rights Act to explicitly protect moms in the workplace who are breastfeeding and/or pumping. According to the text of the act:
“Although title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as so amended, applies with respect to ‘‘pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions’’, a few courts have failed to reach the conclusion that breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in the workplace are covered by such title.”
On June 11th, the Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 was introduced into Congress by Rep Carolyn Maloney (NY) and Sen Jeff Merkley (OR). Maloney summarizes the bill with the following:
“This bill will bring breastfeeding mothers under the protection of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, require employers with over 50 employees to provide a private space and unpaid time off during the workday for mothers to express milk, and sets standards for breast pump manufacture. It also provides for tax incentives for employers that establish private lactation areas in the workplace and tax credits for nursing mothers.”
Represenative Maloney has been working hard to bring this bill to vote for several years now – and we need to show support so it doesn’t get overlooked again.
Here are three VERY EASY things you can do, in 60 SECONDS or less….
A message to your representatives – simply fill in your name in info, and the United States Breastfeeding Committee will send your message to your legislators for you. http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5162/t/6359/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1697
The USBC will then send you a message you can forward to friends and family so that more folks can take that same 60 seconds to let their voices be heard.
Join the Facebook group “Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009 (HR2819 and S1244)” . Once you’ve joined the group, invite friends to join as well – the more info out there about this bill, the better chance it has to be passed.
AND, if you’re feeling particularly motivated…you can write your own letter to your legislators. Angela from Breastfeeding 1-2-3, one of the breastfeeding blogs we follow, has adapted a letter that you can work from, if you are like me and appreciate the guidance – http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/breastfeeding-promotion-act-support-letter/
This legislation needs our support! Please take a minute of your day to show your legislators that unifying a national policy in support of breastfeeding mothers is critical.
