Bottom Dollars Movie Chapter 01

Understanding Sub-Minimum Wage for People with Disabilities

Introduction to Gloria's Work Experience

• Melanie Oyer introduces herself and her client, Gloria, who has been working at a site for people with disabilities for eight years.

• Gloria is described as a reliable and friendly employee who consistently receives high evaluations from her employer.

Evaluation of Employee Performance

• Gloria received a perfect score of four out of four in various performance categories, including "Independent Work Rate."

• Despite being an excellent worker, she earns only $3.50 an hour, raising concerns about fairness in wage distribution.

Historical Context: Fair Labor Standards Act

• Mark Riccobono discusses the significance of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which established minimum wage protections for American workers.

• President Franklin Roosevelt emphasizes that the FLSA was revolutionary but notes that it excludes people with disabilities from its minimum wage guarantees.

Section 14(c): A Legal Exception

• Cheryl Bates-Harris explains Section 14(c) of the FLSA, allowing employers to pay individuals with disabilities less than minimum wage based solely on their disability status.

• The term "sub-minimum wage" refers to this practice where disabled individuals are compensated differently compared to other workers.

Sheltered Workshops: An Outdated Model

• Cheryl describes sheltered workshops as facilities where people with disabilities perform monotonous tasks like shredding newspapers or sorting small items.

• Originally created to provide daytime activities for individuals with disabilities, these workshops have become outdated and perpetuate segregation rather than inclusion.