New York ADAPT Sent A Strong Message To Goodwill That People With Disabilities Deserve Equal Pay.
ADAPT continues push for fair wages.
Buffalo, NY – On Friday, November 7, 2014, roughly 25 disability rights activists with New York ADAPT protested the headquarters of Goodwill Industries WNY located at 1119 William St., Buffalo, NY 14206. Activists chanted in the lobby , spoke with local news stations and met directly with the President and CEO of Goodwill Industries WNY.
Goodwill of WNY CEO Thomas Lynch stated he is not willing to give up their 14(c) certificate. He believes people with disabilities should be paid sub-minimum wage. He also refused to write a letter to be faxed to Goodwill International calling for all Goodwill chapters to stop paying people with disabilities sub-minimum wages. One activist said, “We are actually people who live it and you’re not.”
Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows Goodwill Industries to pay workers with disabilities a sub-minimum wage. National ADAPT and the National Federation of the Blind have participated in several protests all across the nation in efforts to raise awareness of the exploitation that workers with disabilities endure at Goodwill.
The mission of Goodwill is to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by helping people reach their full potential. Sub-minimum wages for people with disabilities is not only contradictory of this mission but is discriminatory and wrong!
Goodwill refused to meet New York ADAPT’s demands. In fact Goodwill of WNY CEO Lynch chose to call the police and have people with disabilities removed from the building rather than respect the rights of people with disabilities and agree to pay them fair wages.
Today, New York ADAPT sent a loud, strong message that people with disabilities deserve equal pay and equal rights! We will continue this fight to ensure that Goodwill and all other businesses stop discriminating against people with disabilities.