Yesterday, gubernatorial candidate Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy joined women union workers and grassroots volunteers at a canvass launch to release her comprehensive plan to support and lift up working families and working mothers who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her plan focuses on strengthening pay transparency policies, supporting small, women-owned, and minority-owned (SWaM) businesses, expanding the Working Families Earned Income Tax Credit, increasing access to child care subsidies, and implementing full day preschool for at-risk three- and four-year olds. Critically, the plan also focuses on accelerating the minimum wage increase to $15 per hour given that the majority of minimum wage workers are women.

Carroll Foy’s plan builds on her record as Delegate, where she led the fight for paid medical and family legislation and introduced and passed the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act. As Governor, she will continue to support workers, especially people of color and women. More unions have endorsed Carroll Foy than any other candidate in the race. 

“The challenges working moms and families face have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. I know this struggle first hand, working multiple jobs while trying to afford the high cost of childcare,” Carroll Foy said. “We need to build an economy that makes it possible for working moms and families, and especially women of color, to not just survive, but thrive. That is why I have fought hard to pass bills and budgets to address pay inequity, end sex discrimination, and ensure accommodations for pregnant women, and as Governor, I will continue to be a champion for workers and especially working moms. I will make sure that our post-COVID-19 economy works for everyone.”

Key highlights of her plan include: 

• Pass paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave in the state. 
• Accelerate the raising of the minimum wage to $15 per hour and advocate for the inclusion of overlooked workforces under the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act. 
• Work to close the gender pay gap and strengthen pay transparency policies for workers and employees. 
• Strengthen labor protections for workers, and especially for domestic workers. Specifically, the Carroll Foy administration will support legislation that promotes written contracts, fair scheduling, and expanded opportunities for professional development.
• Elevate and protect the voices of working people by ensuring that union members get appointed to boards and commissions.
• Repeal right-to-work laws and ensure full collective bargaining rights for workers across the public sector.